Met Éireann has issued thunderstorm warnings for most of Ireland, with some counties already affected.
Thunderstorms have already appeared in counties Kerry and Cork shortly after 3pm, some seven hours before they were originally forecast.
The thunderstorms were spotted on Met Éireann’s radar between Killarney in Co Kerry and Millstreet in Co Cork.
The thunderstorms are expected to remain in Kerry, Cork and Waterford from 10pm tonight before spreading countrywide up until 9pm on Thursday evening.
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Twenty-eight counties are affected. The only ones escaping are Mayo, Galway, Clare and Limerick.
The warning for Cork will last until Thursday morning at 3am, while Waterford will be affected until 2pm on Thursday.
Also under the warning until 2pm on Thursday is all of Leinster and Tipperary, with the alert having taken effect from midnight.
The thunderstorm warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo will run from 7am to 5pm on Thursday.
The UK Met Office has also issued heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings for the six counties of Northern Ireland. The alerts will be active from 6am until 9pm on Thursday.
Met Éireann has warned of the potential for spot flooding and lightning damage. It says there will be poor visibility and difficult travel conditions during the affected periods.
Scattered thunderstorms will continue into Friday and Saturday, with it remaining humid and showery throughout.
Saturday will be a showery day with some heavy showers which could turn to thunderstorms.
The long-term forecast predicts the weather in Ireland will become drier and more settled next week with a chance of dry and sunny spells.
