Ireland is bracing for a potentially historic and dangerous weather event as Met Éireann has issued a three-hour Status Orange thunderstorm warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. The warning is in effect from 4pm to 7pm today, while six other counties remain under Status Yellow alerts.
Forecasters have warned that severe thunderstorms could bring life-threatening conditions, including intense lightning, damaging winds, flash flooding, large hailstones and even a small risk of tornadoes. Residents in affected areas are being urged to take extra care as weather conditions deteriorate later today.
A separate Status Yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Donegal and all Connacht counties from 3pm to 6pm. Met Éireann said torrential downpours could lead to localised flooding, while lightning strikes, hail, hazardous driving conditions and strong gusts are also possible.
The extreme weather follows exceptionally high temperatures across the country. Ireland could challenge or even break its all-time temperature record of 33.3°C, set at Kilkenny Castle in June 1887. Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 34°C in some areas today.
By mid-afternoon, Tulla in County Clare had already recorded 31.5°C, while Shannon Airport reached 31°C. Weather experts noted that cloud cover and approaching showers in some regions could influence whether the long-standing national record is surpassed.
Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy said there is potential for the record to be challenged, particularly in the Midlands and Connacht, although he stressed that breaking it is far from certain.
The combination of intense heat and high humidity is expected to provide the ideal conditions for severe thunderstorm development later today and overnight. Weather observers have already reported isolated thunderstorm activity in western counties during the morning.
Several meteorologists have warned that the storms expected this evening could be among the most severe Ireland has experienced in recent years. Forecasts suggest thunderstorm development could begin between 4pm and 6pm, reaching peak intensity between 7pm and midnight.
The highest risk area stretches across parts of Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, with some impacts also possible in Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry. Experts warn that rainfall totals of between 50mm and 100mm could fall within just a few hours, creating a serious flash-flooding threat.
Large hailstones measuring between five and seven centimetres in diameter are possible, potentially causing damage to vehicles, buildings and crops. Strong downbursts associated with the storms may generate wind speeds of up to 110km/h, increasing the risk of structural damage and fallen trees.
Meteorologists have also highlighted a small but notable possibility of an isolated tornado forming. While tornadoes are rare in Ireland, they do occur occasionally, as demonstrated by the damaging tornado that struck Leitrim village in December 2022.
The UK Met Office has meanwhile issued a Yellow thunderstorm warning covering all six counties of Northern Ireland from midnight until 10am Friday. Forecasters there have warned that heavy showers and thunderstorms could cause disruption during the early hours.
Met Éireann has also extended its nationwide Status Yellow high-temperature warning until 9am on Saturday as the exceptional heatwave continues.
