Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for heavy rain in counties Cork and Waterford for tomorrow (Thursday, April 30)

The national forecaster said there will be spells of heavy rain on Thursday from approximately 3:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

Persistent rain is expected, which Met Éireann said “will be heavy, and possibly thundery, at times”.

Potential impacts include localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions, and poor visibility.

Forecast

For today (April 29), the national forecaster predicts dry and sunny weather countrywide.

It said that the outlook “becomes breezy this afternoon as mostly moderate easterly winds develop, occasionally fresh and gusty near eastern and southern coasts”.

A few isolated showers are possible in the far south-west this evening.

Highest temperatures of 14℃ to 20°, coolest for eastern counties, and best in the west.

Moving to tonight, many places are expected to be “dry at first” with clear breaks, but high cloud will gradually increase from the south overnight.

Thicker cloud across Munster, and parts of south Leinster and south Connacht will see outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing in these parts.

Lowest temperatures of 6° to 10° are expected in mostly moderate easterly winds, fresh and gusty near coasts.

Tomorrow (April 30) is expected to be “a cloudier day overall with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the south and west, gradually edging north-eastwards over the country, with some heavy bursts at times”.

RSA

For driving in wet weather the Road Safety Authority (RSA) recommends:

Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning;
Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors;
If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible;
Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána;
After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.

Finally, the RSA recommends the “be safe, be seen” principle: drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.