'Tough conditions' for weekend ahead as eight counties hit with weather warnings

A wet and blustery weekend is on the way for Ireland as eight counties have been with weather warnings on Friday.

Cork, Kerry and Waterford have been issued with a Status Yellow Rain warning that is due to come into place from 9am Friday morning until 9pm Friday night.

A Status Yellow Wind warning has been for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo that will come into effect from 12pm Friday afternoon until 9pm Friday night.

Heavy rain is expected with potential impacts including localised flooding and difficult travel conditions.

READ NEXT: 'We have a rule of law in this country' - Army deployed across Ireland amid fuel protests

Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said that there will be "tough conditions" for farmers planning to plant crops as over 50mm of rain will possibly fall on high ground in the Southwest.

Total rainfall forecast up to Saturday morning with a wet Friday. Over 50mm possible on high ground in Southwest. Tough conditions for farmers trying to get crops in. pic.twitter.com/rVhYQDCSTw

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) April 9, 2026

Meanwhile, Met Éireann has given their five-day-forescast warning of heavy rain and strong winds.

Today

Sunny spells and scattered blustery showers today, some heavy with a chance of hail and thunder. The showers will gradually retreat northwards and most places will become dry through the evening. Cooler than recent days with highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds, strong near coasts.

A few showers in the north early tonight but otherwise dry and increasingly cloudy. Rain and drizzle will spread from the west to most areas overnight, however parts of the north and northeast will stay dry. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 6 degrees, coldest in the north, with light to moderate southwest to south winds, freshening in the west later.

READ NEXT: Two men airlifted to hospital following horror crash as Gardaí urge witnesses to come forward

Friday

Tomorrow will be a wet and windy day with gales in coastal areas. Rain will be widespread and some heavy and squally bursts are possible, especially in the late afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees with fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds.

Wet and windy early Friday night with gales on western, northern and eastern coasts. Some heavy and squally bursts of rain are possible. The rain will clear eastwards overnight and will be followed by scattered showers of rain or sleet and some clear spells. Winds will ease too. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees with fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest winds, decreasing moderate to fresh.

Saturday

It will become windy again on Saturday with fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest winds and gales on coasts. A crisp and sunny start in the east will give way to scattered blustery showers spreading from the west. Some of the showers will be heavy with a chance of hail and thunder, and a few could be wintry about high ground in the west early on. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees.

Blustery with scattered showers and clear spells on Saturday night. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees with fresh and gusty south to southwest winds.

Sunday

A breezy and blustery day with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Some of the showers will be heavy and there is a chance of hail. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with a moderate to fresh and gusty southwest to west breeze.

Winds will ease on Sunday night and showers will clear from most areas. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees with light to moderate south to southwest winds.

READ NEXT: WATCH: Passengers forced to disembark Irish Rail train after fire incident

Monday

After a mostly dry and bright start, showers will extend from the west, but will clear again from most areas during the evening. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with light to moderate southwest to west winds.

Further outlook

Continuing changeable with wet and breezy conditions at times.