Updated at 9.40am

GARDAÍ RESPONDED TO a number of crashes on major routes this morning, after heavy rain in many parts of the country.

There was gridlock in some areas of Dublin earlier, and crashes on the N7 and the M3 caused problems on approach to the city.

Emergency services responded to a crash in the right lane of the N7 before Kill shortly after 7am. “Intermittent delays” were still being reported in the area by mid-morning.

In Meath, the M3 Navan/Dublin Road was down to one lane between Junction 5 for Dunboyne and Junction 4 for Clonee while emergency services dealt with a crash (as of 9.30am).

Crashes are also being reported on other routes:

There was also a llama on the loose in Co Offaly.

Excess surface water was being reported on the M7 Limerick-Dublin Rd between Junction 28 for Castletroy and Junction 25 for Nenagh Centre.

And AA Roadwatch said it was a damp start to the day in Portlaoise, Longford, Navan, Naas, Wicklow town, Wexford town, Roscommon town, Ennis and Tralee – as well as in Waterford, Cork, Galway and Limerick (so, everywhere).

What’s the forecast?

Met Eireann says the rain will clear gradually northwards, leaving drier conditions in the south, but with some showers.

Those showers will turn heavy and prolonged by tonight and temperatures will be “very mild”.

It will be windy this morning, particularly on the east coast.

Tonight will be mild and humid with heavy showers which will become scattered. It will be very misty.

Tomorrow will be misty and foggy with widespread showers and night-time temperatures hitting lows of five degrees.

Wednesday will be slightly drier, but will still see showers.

For the weekend, Met Eireann says it is uncertain, but the latest charts suggest high pressure could mean a “lot of dry weather”.

With reporting by Daragh Brophy.

Read: Met Éireann’s Gerald Fleming explains the ‘cool anomaly’ that ruined our summer…