Orange rain warning to come into place for Cork and Kerry

An orange rain warning will come into place for Cork and Kerry at midnight with drivers urged to take care.

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team met on Thursday night and says its crews will be sent to inspect key high-risk areas.

Very heavy and persistent rain is forecast with the highest accumulation in mountainous areas of west Cork.

Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain.

Cork and Kerry will be under the Orange alert for rain from midnight until 11pm on Saturday.

The public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this time of unsettled weather.

Meanwhile, a yellow warning for rain will come into place from midnight for Clare, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Mayo. That warning runs until midnight on Sunday night.

Friday will be mostly cloudy and damp with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees with moderate to fresh south to southeast winds.

Saturday will be cloudy and wet with spells of rain extending to all areas. The rain will be heavy at times with flooding likely, especially in Munster and Connacht. Highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees with fresh south to southeast winds.

In terms of the general outlook, it will be mild and generally unsettled with rain and showers.

On Sunday, rain will gradually clear to the northeast. Sunny spells and showers will follow, some heavy, especially in Munster.

Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees with light to moderate southerly winds, fresher for the west and southwest.

Monday will bring sunny spells and showers, heaviest and most frequent in Munster and south Leinster with localised flooding possible. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in moderate southeasterly winds, fresher near coasts.