Risk of lightning strikes as Met Éireann forecasts thunder and heavy rain in the coming days

There is a risk of further thunderstorms with heavy downpours in the coming days, Met Éireann has forecast.

et Éireann forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock said the coming days would remain choppy with rain and showers turning heavy at times.

There will also be some stormy conditions, with temperatures generally being about average for this time of year.

Mr Doran-Sherlock said there is still potential for thunderstorms this evening and tomorrow.

“Heavy rain, mainly over Leinster and Ulster and parts of the Midlands, will really come from the south from now on, the rain will gradually push north,” he said.

“Drier weather with some sunshine across much of Munster and Connacht but there will be scattered showers and there is certainly a chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms and we’ve had some lightning reports across west Galway within the last hour.

“A similar pattern will continue through tonight, with heavy isolated showers moving in from the southwest through tonight and tonight, and there is certainly a risk of further thunderstorm activity with thunderstorms falling in parts of the west and southwest.”

“They will gradually clear to the NE through tonight so tomorrow will be a mostly dry start, there will be some well scattered showers but a heavier band of rain will pull through after that.

“At the moment the air is unstable, so there is still potential for isolated thunderstorms.”

Wednesday morning will be mostly dry and sunny, with persistent showers moving in from the northwest.

It will be cloudy and windy, however, as a band of heavy rain gradually spreads across the country from the southwest, with the possibility of isolated thunderstorms.

Southerly winds will be fresh to strong and gusty with maximum temperatures between 13°C and 17°C.

In the northeast, the rain subsides, leaving a dry night with long clear spells. A few patches of fog and mist will develop as the southerly winds ease up to mild to moderate, although they will be fresher on the west coasts with lowest temperatures between 6C and 10C.

Mr Doran-Sherlock said Thursday is currently looking like the best day of the week in terms of weather.

Thursday will see much dry weather with sunny spells, although scattered showers will develop throughout the day with highs between 14C and 18C, with moderate to fresh south-west winds that are strong near the west coast.

Clouds will increase overnight from the Atlantic, with bursts of rain spreading across the western half of the country, becoming heavy in places with lowest temperatures between 9C and 11C with moderate southerly winds.

Mr Doran-Sherlock said more rain is expected on Friday morning and it will be a wet start for most of the country.

“Some heavy falls are expected, it will be a bit calmer for the weekend so still with some rain and showers but not as unstable, amounts will not be as high as the days before,” he said.