Motorists have been urged to exercise caution when driving today following overnight rain which has left some roads flooded.
The AA Rescue Service had its busiest morning for breakdowns since last January, with nearly 300 call outs during the morning. The worst affected area was Dublin.
Wet conditions resulted in an increased number of cars involved in minor collisions in the Monday morning rush needing to be towed. There were also large numbers of cars failing to start because of dampness in the electrical systems.
Drivers leaving the Electric Picnic car park in Stradbally, Co Laois following the weekend's festival experienced delays of up to an hour earlier today due to heavy flooding at the site.
AA Roadwatch said that delays have eased and that most festival-goers have now left the area. Drivers have been advised that there is a still a lot of surface water on the Athy to Stradbally road but there are no major delays once they get on the M7 Dublin to Limerick road or on the M8 Dublin to Cork road.
In Co Westmeath, drivers are warned that the N52 Mullingar/Ardee road is currently closed between Clonmellon and Delvin following an earlier crash. There are reports of bad flooding in many secondary routes in the area.
Motorists in Co Galway are urged to continue to watch out for surface water on the Headford Road. Meanwhile, in Co Offaly, the local road between Kinnitty and Knockbarron Cross has reopened following flooding at Drumcullen bridge.
A code orange flood warning has been issued for the Greystones area of Co Wicklow. In addition, the road between Enniskerry and Kilternan is blocked due to a fallen tree and drivers are advised to take an alternative route.
In Newcastle, Co Down, a freak wave sunk five boats when it hit the harbour last night.
“All areas have had some rain in the last 24 hours with some extremely heavy localised showers," said AA Ireland's director of policy Conor Faughnan. “This has meant some very testing driving conditions and drivers must take extra care.”
He urged drivers to slow down and not tailgate, particularly on motorways.
"Motorways are generally very safe, but heavy rain makes them dangerous," said Mr Faughnan. "Road spray thrown up from the wheels reduces visibility, and we have had a lot of motorists report very difficult conditions on the motorways today. According to the Road Safety Authority, it can take you more than 170 metres to bring a car to a complete stop when you are travelling at 120km/h."
Met Éireann said heavy rain or thundery showers will persist throughout the day in Leinster, Connacht and Ulster. Rainfall totals of 25 to 40mm are forecast with the highest volumes expected in eastern counties. It will be brighter in Munster, with some sunny spell. However there will be thundery showers at times in some parts of Munster this afternoon.
Met Éireann has issued a warning that southeasterly gales with continue for a time today on Irish coastal waters from Malin Head to Howth head and the Irish Sea.
Currently, all planes and ferries are operating as normal although this is liable to change.
All parts of the country can expect wet weather for the rest of the week and over the weekend with low pressure systems continuing to move in across Ireland from the Atlantic.
Met Éireann said that while there will be some sunny intervals, showers will occur each day with the risk of some heavy, thundery downpours.
Weekly rainfall amounts are forecast to between 30 to 70mm; equivalent to between one and a half and up to two and a half times the average. Maximum temperatures will generally be between 15 and 18 degrees.
