MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Orange thunderstorm warning for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.

The warning will be in place from 3pm today until 9pm this evening.

The four counties should expect potential flash flooding, damage to power lines and difficult travelling conditions.

A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning was also issued for Connacht, as well as Cavan and Longford. It will remain in place until 9pm.

In Northern Irish counties of Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry, thunderstorms are also expected.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising road users to take extra care when using the roads in light of the warnings.

It’s asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of the conditions before setting out on a trip, providing the following advice:

• Driver sneed to allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front;
• Motorists should drive with dipped headlights at all times;
• After going through water, motorists should drive slowly with the foot on the brake pedal for a short distance, to help to dry the brakes;
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility, hold back to where you can see their mirrors;
• Pedestrians should walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

With reporting by Eoghan Dalton