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Rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of the country for Monday as a downgraded tropical storm Helene moves closer to the southeast of Ireland.
Met Éireann has issued yellow rainfall warnings for counties Galway and Mayo from midday on Monday to midnight as associated weather fronts bring heavy rain with a risk of flooding. Between 25mm and 40mm of rain are predicted over parts of west Galway and Mayo.
During the day it will become warm and humid with highest temperatures of 17-21 degrees and lowest overnight temperatures of 12 or 13 degrees.
Current forecasts indicate that south to southeast winds will reach gale or strong gale force over the Celtic Sea and Irish Sea but will be fresh to strong over land.
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The touch-down of Ireland’s first community air ambulance service has been forced to cancel due to the incoming storm. The air ambulance was scheduled to touch down at Waterford and Kerry airports but the event has been re-scheduled due to the strong winds and rain expected to hit Ireland on Monday afternoon.
On Monday night, rain will spread eastwards across Ireland bringing heavy rain to many areas for a time and a risk of spot flooding. The rain will clear overnight.
The meteorological service also said yellow level warning criteria might be reached in counties Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath and Louth if necessary.
Rain will clear northeastwards on Tuesday morning with cloud breaking to produce sunny spells. However, more rain will edge in from the Atlantic affecting the west and southwest of the country with scattered outbreaks extending eastwards through the afternoon. It will become blustery with southwesterly winds increasing to become fresh and strong along coastal areas. Temperatures will rise to between 17 and 20 degrees.
The wet and windy weather will continue on Wednesday morning but winds will ease through the afternoon as the rain clears. It will be mainly dry on Wednesday evening with rain development in the south and west later in the night.
Thursday will be wet across most of the country with rain heaviest in the south and the east. Friday is expected to be bright and blustery with strong westerly winds and scattered showers.