Weather warning: Laois braced for thunderstorms as Met Éireann updates alert
Rush hour commuters have been put on alert by Met Éireann which has extended a thunderstorm weather warning to 17 counties which had already included Laois.
In an update to an alert issued on Sunday, the warning now includes an alert for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Tipperary.
The Met Éireann Weather Warning, which was updated on Monday morning, says the potential impacts will be spot flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
The latest weather forecast says showers will become widespread and heavy during the afternoon with thunderstorms and spot flooding likely in parts of Leinster and Ulster and hail possible.
The updated alert is valid until 9pm on Monday, May 8. MORE BELOW TWEET
National Forecast issued by Met Éireann at 10.36am on Monday, May 8.
Monday: Sunny spells and showers today. The showers will become widespread and heavy during the afternoon with thunderstorms and spot flooding likely in parts of Leinster and Ulster and hail possible. The heavy showers will mostly clear by nightfall. Highest temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees, warmest in the east. Light to moderate southwest breezes.
A mainly dry night with clear spells as showers become isolated. Some mist patches will develop. Towards morning, more heavy showers will develop near the west coast. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in a light southwesterly breeze.
Tuesday: Showers will spread eastwards and become widespread, some heavy and thundery in the afternoon. Sunny spells at times too. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in a light southwesterly wind becoming moderate westerly.
The night features with showers or longer spells of rain. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with a moderate southwest to west wind.
Wednesday: A showery day with some heavy and possibly thundery downpours. There will be some sunny breaks at times too. Highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees in a moderate westerly breeze, fresher near Atlantic coasts where they could be strong at times overnight.
Thursday: Sunshine and showers once again on Thursday as winds become northerly. Highest temperatures 13 to 16 degrees, coolest along the north and northwest coast.
Friday: Mainly dry weather with some sunshine is expected on Friday as winds ease light variable or calm. A little warmer too with highs of 15 to 18 degrees.
Outlook: Current indications suggest that next weekend will be changeable with some rain or showers at times but dry bright periods occurring too with sunny spells. Temperatures around 14 to 17 degrees on Saturday, though it looks like it'll turn cooler on Sunday.