A yellow rain warning has been issued for large parts of the country this weekend, with the national forecaster advising of a risk of flooding and dangerous conditions.
The weather in Ireland is set to turn very wet with spells of heavy rain due to arrive in the west of the country on Saturday evening.
According to Met Éireann, the yellow rain warning will cover Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal and Connacht and will come into effect at 6pm Saturday until midnight on Monday.
The forecaster said flood risk is increased due to high river levels and saturated ground. Likely impacts of these conditions include river and surface water flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility, it added.
A second yellow rain warning will come into effect for Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford from midnight on Sunday until 3am on Monday.
The spells of heavy rain in these areas during this time is also likely to lead to flooding, the forecaster said.
The UK Met Office has also issued a yellow rain warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from midnight on Sunday until 6am on Monday.
Furthermore, a status yellow gale warning has been issued from Fair Head to Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea. This will remain in place from midday on Saturday until 4pm on Sunday.
Elsewhere around the country, the weekend is expected to be wet and blustery with widespread spells of rain.
Sunday morning’s rain will clear west and northwest later in the afternoon with drier and clearer weather expected for the evening.
The rain will be heaviest and most persistent in Munster and south Leinster with spot flooding possible. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees in fresh to strong southwesterly winds.
The rain will continue to clear south-eastwards Sunday night with scattered showers following in behind and clearer spells developing. The rain may linger over parts of the southeast.
Lowest temperatures will be between 6 and 9 degrees.
Next week’s forecast suggests the rain may linger over the southeast of the country but drier and brighter conditions will be seen elsewhere.
Tuesday will be a largely dry and bright day, with isolated showers in the parts of the west. Highest temperatures will be between 6 and 9 degrees, Met Éireann said.
The latest weather warning comes after the arrival of Storm Bram last week that left thousands of homes and businesses without power, as well as significant flooding in coastal areas.
