THUNDER and hail are set to swoop in as Storm Bert takes a hold of Ireland, with another weather warning to come into play.
The entire country is currently under various weather warnings until at least 10am this morning.
A status yellow wind and rain warning is in place until midday for Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan while a yellow Snow-Ice, Rain and Wind warning is in place for Donegal.
An orange rain warning has been issued for Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim until 10am.
A status red rain warning has been issued for Cork and Galway until 10am with heavy showers overnight.
Met Eireann’s Andrew Doran Sherlock said: “While we’re having some high impact weather due to Storm Bert, there are multiple warnings in operation this morning.
“Nationwide yellow wind and rain warning, a status orange rain warning for Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, and both Cork and Galway have a red level rain warning due to expected accumulations in the west of each county.
“With Storm Bert staying close by for the rest of the weekend, do keep an eye out for any further updates.”
THUNDER INCOMING
Weather bosses are warning that thunder could be on the way, bringing hail along with it amid heavy showers of rain.
Andrew continued: “At the moment, it’s very wet and windy with flooding in places but rain will clear eastwards around lunchtime.
“Then, showery outbreaks of rain will start to move in from the west, heavy at times with hail and thunder possible.
“Very strong and gusty southerly winds will take a break for a time before increasing again during the evening, especially for the southwest, south and southeast with a yellow wind warning coming into effect.
“Highs today of 12C to 15C.”
FRESH WARNING
A second wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow will be in place overnight as gusty conditions during Storm Bert continue.
This will be valid from 5pm tonight until 2am tomorrow morning.
Met Eireann are warning of potential fallen trees, debris, loose objects displaced and difficult travelling conditions.
Andrew said: “It’ll be windy tonight with showery rain, heavy in places, clearing eastwards to scattered, blustery showers by morning.
“Lows of 5C to 9C.”
LONG RAIN SPELLS
Sunday will see further wind and rain throughout the day, with heavy showers across the country.
Atlantic counties are set to be worst hit with “longer spells” of rain on the way.
Andrew said: “It’ll be another windy day tomorrow with sunny spells and scattered, heavy showers.
“Most frequent for Atlantic counties, with longer spells of rain developing, particularly for the north and northwest where it will be windiest.
“Highs of 9C to 12C.”
LOOKING UP
While Sunday night is set to be another windy one, conditions are expected to calm as we come into next week.
While potentially still unsettled, Storm Bert will begin to ease off as we enter Monday morning.
Andrew said: “It will continue to be windy through Sunday night and into Monday, with further blustery showers but through Monday, the gusty winds will ease.
“After that, it will be a lot drier and more settled during mid-week, cooler with frost and ice developing during the nights.
“More uncertainty after that, but it looks like through Thursday it will turn milder and more unsettled for the rest of the week.”
