Ireland weather forecast: Met Eireann predicts brutal weekend as heavy rain and flooding arrives

Met Eireann currently has a Status Yellow rain warning in force, which will directly affect Cork and Kerry

Heavy rain and flooding will batter most of the country this weekend as brutal conditions hit.

Met Eireann currently has a Status Yellow rain warning in force, which will directly affect Cork and Kerry.

A forecaster said: "Outbreaks of rain will continue to push in across the western half of the country, staying generally dry further east but cloudy. During the afternoon and evening, rain will gradually extend countrywide, turning heavy and persistent at times across southern coastal counties with a risk of localised flooding.

"Becoming rather windy too, with fresh and gusty southerly winds, reaching strong to near gale on exposed coasts. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees.

"Early tonight, blustery outbreaks of rain will clear eastwards, followed by clear spells and scattered heavy showers. Mild overnight, with temperatures not falling below 9 to 12 degrees in moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds.

"Sunday will bring sunny spells and scattered heavy showers, especially across Atlantic counties, where they will merge into longer spells of rain at times. Rather breezy in moderate to fresh southwest winds. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees, mildest and brightest in the east.

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"The last of the blustery and wet conditions will clear on Sunday night into the Irish Sea with scattered showers following for the rest of the night, mainly confined to the west and northwest later. Chilly with lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, in moderating southwest winds."

They added: "Fresher than of late with sunny spells and scattered showers, mainly across the western half of the country on Monday. Top temperatures will range 10 to 13 degrees, in mostly moderate southwesterly breezes.

"Mostly dry and clear early on, apart from some Atlantic coastal showers. Later in the night, low cloud will feed in patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle, especially across the west and northwest. Lowest temperatures of around 6 to 9 degrees, coolest early on."