Disastrous Easter weather warning forecast as Met Éireann issues Status Orange

Met Éireann has issued a series of weather warnings for the beginning of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend with one county hit with a Status Orange alert.

The Status Orange rain warning has been issued for Wicklow and is valid from Friday morning until 11am on Saturday morning. It warns residents of "spells of heavy rain" and the possibility of localised flooding. 
Met Éireann Weather Warning

A Yellow warning for rain "heavy at times" has also been issued for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford and Waterford. It is valid from 6am Friday to 6am Saturday and also warns of possible flooding in the counties listed.

A similar warning is in place for Cork and Kerry but at different times. It came into effect on Thursday evening and will lapse at 9pm Friday night.

WATCH NEXT: Surprise snowfall in parts of Ireland following mini spring heatwave

The same warning for Galway, Mayo and Clare is valid from 6am Friday to 9pm on Friday.

In its overall forecast, Met Éireann says it will still be "wet and murky tonight [Friday] with further outbreaks of rain, heavy and persistent in places, especially across eastern areas with the ongoing potential for localised flooding. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees, coolest for northwest areas, all in a light to moderate northeast breeze."

Forecasters there predict "another wet start to the day on Saturday with a lot of excess surface water, that's as overnight rain continues. While the rain will tend to ease off into the afternoon, it will remain rather cloudy, with lingering rain in places. Some mist and hill fog too. Highest temperatures of 9 to 14 degrees, in light to moderate easterly breezes."

They add: "Our weather will continue generally unsettled but with a slight improvement through the rest of the Easter weekend with some brighter and drier weather at times."

The forecast continues: "Mostly dry on Saturday night, apart from light outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the west that will slowly clear eastwards. Clearer spells will follow into the west overnight. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with light southeasterly winds veering west to southwest following the clearance of the rain.

"There is some uncertainty in the forecast for Easter Sunday, but current indications suggest outbreaks of light rain will clear eastwards in the morning followed by occasional sunny spells and some well scattered showers. Cloudy conditions look to build from the west in the afternoon with rain following. Highest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees in a light to moderate southerly breeze.

"Rain will move eastwards across the country on Sunday night, followed by showers and clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees a light southwest wind.

"Rain will clear from the northeast on Easter Monday morning and will be followed by sunny spells and showers. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in a light to moderate southwest wind.

"Becoming largely dry as showers become mainly confined to Atlantic coasts [Easter Monday]. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees, in light southerly breeze.

"A mix of sunshine and showers spreading from the Atlantic [on Tuesday]. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees in light westerly breeze."