Weekend washout with weather warnings issued

Ottoline Spearman

Met Éireann has issued orange and yellow rain warnings for Cork, Kerry, Wexford and Waterford this weekend.

The orange rain warning is for Cork from 9pm on Saturday to 5am on Sunday, where there will be heavy rain and possible thundery downpours, which could lead to river flooding, especially in mountainous areas, and very difficult travel conditions.

There are yellow rain warnings for Cork and Kerry from 5pm on Saturday to 5am on Sunday; and for Waterford and Wexford from 8pm on Saturday to 8am on Sunday, where there may be spells of heavy rain with the possibility of a few thundery downpours. This could lead to flash flooding, very difficult traveling conditions with poor visibility, and potential damage to power lines.

The RSA is recommending that road users in areas affected by the orange warning check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

There is also a small craft warning in place off Ireland's coasts from Friday at 11pm until 8am on Sunday. It is expected that winds will reach gale force 6 or higher.

A yellow gale warning is in place from Loop Head to Belfast Lough to Roche's Point and on the Irish Sea, where southeast winds will reach gale force 8.