Irish weather: Met Éireann forecasts risk of lightning as widespread heavy showers expected

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Niamh McGovern

There will be widespread heavy showers through the day, merging into longer spells of rain, with a chance of lightning in heavy downpours, Met Éireann forecasts.

While there will be brief brighter periods, today is expected to be windy again with strong and gusty winds and gales on coasts.

Met Éireann warns there may be some coastal flooding likely around high tides.

Tonight will see strong westerly winds gradually ease from moderate to fresh with showers becoming less frequent throughout the night.

Long clear spells will develop overnight with temperatures ranging between 4C to 7C.

Moving into the weekend, Saturday is expected to bring hazy spells of sunshine along with more scattered showers.

A cloudier day tomorrow with a chance of rain moving southwest during the evening.

Temperatures will range between 10C and 13C.

Rain is likely to continue to affect southern coastal counties throughout Saturday night, while elsewhere there will be isolated showers. Many places will remain dry under broke cloud.

Temperatures will drop to lows of 2C and 5C.

Sunday is much the same with scattered showers and some sunny spells in a mostly light northerly breeze.

Temperatures will reach between 7C and 13C throughout the country, Met Éireann says.