Weekend washout ahead as five counties hit with thunderstorm warnings

Heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms are set to dominate Irish weather this coming weekend which is a far cry from the glorious sun blast of 30 degrees last weekend.

Five northern counties have been hit with thunderstorms warnings for Thursday to include  Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry.

Temperatures will reach as high as 23 degrees in some parts over the weekend with scattered outbreaks of sunshine also expected but heavy downpours will be persistent in most parts of the country.

READ NEXT: RIP: 'Forever 19'- Young girl dies in hospital after tragic Galway crash named locally

Thursday

This morning, rain will extend eastwards to all areas, heavy at times with some spot flooding. This afternoon, sunny spells and scattered showers will develop in the west and extend slowly eastwards as rain gradually clears to the northeast this evening. Highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly winds.

Tonight, there will be clear spells at first. Cloud and some light rain or drizzle will spread eastwards overnight. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees in light to moderate southwest winds.

Friday

Friday will start off mostly cloudy with patchy light rain or drizzle. It will gradually brighten up with sunny spells and scattered showers developing. Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees in light to moderate west to southwest winds.

Mostly dry overnight on Friday under broken cloud apart from isolated showers, along with light rain or drizzle in the southwest. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 15 degrees, coolest across western counties, all in light southeast or variable breezes.

Saturday

Generally dry with sunny spells and scattered showers to begin, before a band of rain slowly spreads from the southwest, turning heavy and possibly thundery at times. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees with mostly light southerly breezes.

Outbreaks of rain will continue to slowly spread northwards, breaking up and becoming lighter through the night, with clear spells developing. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, in light southerly or variable winds.

READ NEXT: Gardai renew appeal for murder of young women whose body was found eight years ago

Sunday

Spells of sunshine on Sunday, along with isolated, heavy and possibly thundery showers. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees, in light variable winds.

Monday

Mostly cloudy to begin with outbreaks of rain, with some sunny spells developing later on. Highest temperatures 17 to 21 degrees, in moderate to fresh westerly breezes.