DESPITE TEMPERATURES REACHING up to 23 degrees over the weekend, heavy rain is expected with a risk of spot flooding in places.

A status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork and Waterford.

Met Eireann says heavy thundery downpours are expected this evening and overnight, with the potential for torrential downpours leading to spot flooding.

The warning will come into effect at 9pm tonight and remain until 6am tomorrow morning. Rainfall amounts of up to 40mm are expected in places.

Overall today will be cloudy with hazy sunshine and scattered showers, but temperatures will reach up to 22 degrees.

Heavy showers are expected to move into southern and southeastern coastal counties this evening, giving some thundery bursts of rain in places there.

Tonight will be mild and close with showers becoming widespread later in the night. Many will be heavy and some prolonged and thundery, leading to some spot flooding and hail.

Tomorrow will also be close and humid with some hazy sunshine at times, but cloudy overall. Temperatures will reach up to 23 degrees.

There will be more showers, some heavy and thundery with a risk of flooding and hail.