STATUS YELLOW RAIN warnings are in place for eight counties in the east and south today.

Met Éireann has warned that further heavy rain falling on saturated ground combined with high river levels and high tides will lead to localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions.

The warning for Dublin, Louth, and Wicklow, which came into effect at 6am today, is due to expire at 9pm tonight. Meanwhile, the warning for Carlow, Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, which came into effect at 9pm yesterday, is due to expire at 3pm today.

The national forecaster also issued a general advisory on Sunday, warning that spells of “heavy and persistent rainfall” will continue until midnight Monday 9 February, particularly in southern and eastern coastal counties.

It said that rain will fall on saturated ground where river levels are high with high tides expected this week. This will lead to further flooding along rivers and in coastal areas.

National forecast

This week is expected to be rainy again due to low pressure to the southwest of Ireland. Southern and eastern areas are predicted to get the worst of it, with heavy and persistent falls forecast for the areas. 

Today is expected to be mainly dull with rain and drizzle, heavy and most persistent over the south and east. Highest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees are forecast.

Tonight will be cloudy with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 6 or 7 degrees are expected.

Tomorrow will be another day cloudy with further outbreaks of rain and drizzle. However, brighter spells may occasionally develop throughout the day with the best chance over the midlands and western counties. Highest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees are expected.

Wednesday night will remain cloudy with rain across southern counties, while further north will be drier with some clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 8 degrees are expected.

The national forecaster said Thursday’s forecast remains uncertain but current indications suggest a wet and windy day with widespread rain, turning persistent and heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees are expected.

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle Thursday night will gradually become patchier and confined to the south and east towards morning. Ulster and north Connacht will stay mostly dry. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 6 degrees are expected.

Friday is looking to be another wet and windy day with widespread outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Heavy and persistent rain will mostly affect the south and east. Highest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees are expected.

Met Éireann has said that similar conditions are expected to continue into the weekend.