Met Eireann has warned drivers of heavy rain that will batter the country as a Status Yellow rain warning comes into place today for three Irish counties.
The national forecaster said that the heavy rain could result in 'spot flooding' in places with 'poor driving conditions' on Wednesday evening and into the night.
Independent Irish forecaster Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather warned that and over 20mm of rain is expected in many parts of the country and over 50mm of rain could fall on the mountains in Kerry.
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He wrote on his social media pages: "Very wet [Wednesday] with very high rainfall totals for some areas. Over 50mm possible on Kerry Mountains and over 20mm in many parts with risk of spot flooding."
A Status Yellow weather warning has also been issued for rain, affecting Cork, Kerry and Waterford, and will come into effect this afternoon.
The alert begins at 4pm Wednesday and lasts until 6am Thursday. It reads: “Prolonged rainfall through Wednesday and Wednesday night. Potential impacts include localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.”
Meanwhile, a Status Yellow weather warning for snow and ice remains in place this morning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim and Sligo.
It will last until 12 noon on Wednesday as Met Eireann said: “Lying snow and freezing temperatures Tuesday evening and Tuesday night. Falls of sleet and snow Wednesday morning could produce some temporary accumulations. Potential impacts include icy roads and paths and hazardous travelling conditions."
The bitterly cold weather is expected to last right through until Wednesday before a major U-turn. The national forecaster has pinpointed Thursday as being “a mild and breezy day” with temperatures pushing up to 16C at times.
Here is an overview of the weather for the rest of the week:
Wednesday, March 15
Cloudy this morning as rain in the southwest and west extends to all areas by lunchtime, preceded by some local sleet or snow with some temporary accumulations possible. Continuing wet through the afternoon and evening with poor driving conditions. The rain will be heavy in places resulting in some spot flooding. Afternoon temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees in the north, 7 to 11 degrees generally. Fresh and gusty south to southeast winds later veering southerly.
Wet tonight with heavy falls of rain, leading to spot flooding. Easing off later. Breezy too, with mostly fresh southerly winds. Relatively mild with lowest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees.
Thursday, March 16
A cloudy, mild and breezy start tomorrow with rain clearing northern and eastern parts. Sunny spells and scattered showers developing from afternoon, some heavy and prolonged. Afternoon temperatures of 12 to 15 or 16 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds.
Scattered outbreaks of rain will move up across the country on Thursday night, in a moderate southerly airflow, stronger along southern coasts. Another relatively mild night with lows of 8 to 10 degrees.
Friday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
A showery day on St. Patrick's Day with sunny spells. Some of the showers will be heavy and prolonged. Relatively mild with highest temperatures of 12 to 15 or 16 degrees, in moderate to fresh southerly winds .
A mix of clear spells and isolated showers on Friday night with some mist and fog patches as the winds fall light and variable. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.
Saturday, March 18
Rain clearing to sunny spells and scattered showers later in the day. Mixed with clear spells and showers. Light variable winds to begin, westerly winds freshening after the rain. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees.
Sunday, March 19
Current indications suggest Sunday will be a wet day with a wide band of rain moving in from the west, extending to all areas through the day. Highest temperature of 7 to 12 degrees with light o moderate variable winds.
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