Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain, marking a shift from the recent spell of high temperatures and sunshine.
A status yellow rain and thunderstorm warning is in place for Clare, Kerry, Limerick, and Galway, effective from 7pm on Monday until 7am on Tuesday.
The warning highlights the potential for heavy rain, lightning, localized flooding, and hazardous driving conditions.
Commuters are advised to be cautious due to the risk of spot flooding, lightning strikes, and reduced visibility on roads.
A second warning, a status yellow thunderstorm alert, is currently active for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, and Wicklow. This warning expires at 4pm on Monday, with forecasters alerting to possible lightning damage.
This development brings the recent heatwave to an end, with Met Éireann predicting a “mixed and changeable” week, feeling “cooler and fresher” compared to recent days.
Saturday was the hottest day of the year thus far, reaching 31.1C at Mount Dillon station in County Roscommon. Friday saw temperatures peak at 29C in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
However, Monday temperatures will be significantly lower, with heavy showers expected.
Later today, cloud cover will increase across the west and southwest, with “showers merging into longer spells of rain,” potentially including “embedded thunderstorms” by this evening.
Today’s highest temperatures will range from 15C to 21C, accompanied by “freshening southerly winds” that will be “gusty around downpours.”
Monday night will bring further showers and longer periods of rain, some potentially “heavy and thundery,” particularly in western counties, increasing the risk of spot flooding and lightning damage.
Tuesday’s forecast indicates “cloudy conditions with further thundery spells of rain and localised thunderstorms.”
The weather pattern will gradually brighten from the west during the morning, transitioning to a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers.
Highest temperatures will range from 16C to 20C.
Tuesday night is expected to be mainly dry with clear spells, although cloud cover will thicken near the southwest coast, leading to outbreaks of rain by morning.
Areas of mist and fog are also anticipated.
The weather is predicted to become slightly milder midweek.
Wednesday will see highs of 17C to 21C, with any mist and fog clearing in the morning. A “bright spell” is predicted for the north and east, with some “hazy sunshine.”
Wednesday night will remain mild, with temperatures not dropping below 13C to 17C.
Thursday will feature a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, some potentially heavy, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures will range from 18C to 23C.
Current forecasts suggest that Friday will offer “some sunshine and scattered showers,” with highs of 17C to 21C.
Looking ahead to the weekend, temperatures are expected to be “around average,” but the weather will remain “unsettled overall,” with low pressure bringing further showers or longer periods of rain.
