Met Eireann has issued a rare ‘double’ weather warning for several counties.
The Status Yellow alert, for both thunderstorms and rain, raises the alarm ahead of Sunday.
It warns that there will be “heavy showers” with an onslaught of thunderstorms.
The areas impacted are Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Clare, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.
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The warning comes into force at 1pm Sunday and lasts until 9pm.
Residents in the warned areas are advised to exercise caution and be prepared for potential impacts.
The national forecaster lists the “possible impacts” as:
Spot Flooding - Heavy rainfall accompanying the thunderstorms may lead to localised flooding in low-lying areas.
Poor Visibility - Thunderstorms can cause reduced visibility due to heavy rain and accompanying gusty winds. Motorists are urged to drive with caution, use headlights and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Difficult Travelling Conditions - The combination of heavy rain, possible hail, and strong winds can create challenging conditions on the roads. It is advisable to plan travel routes in advance and allow for extra time to reach destinations safely.
It comes amid a dire forecast for the rest of this weekend and next week. The weather is set to continue “largely unsettled” for at least the next week, however temperatures are expected to heat up for the weekend.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann said: "Mostly dry Saturday with just isolated outbreaks of rain or showers, though it will remain fairly breezy for a time this afternoon. Decent sunny spells developing as well with highest temperatures of 18C to 22C . Moderate to fresh southerly winds, gradually easing..
"Saturday night will start off dry in most areas, although heavy and possibly thundery showers will soon push in from the south, extending across much of Munster, Leinster and Connacht by morning. Somewhat cooler than recent nights with lows of 9C to 12C in light south to southeast breezes.
"Sunday will bring a mix of sunny spells and showers across the country. Some of the showers will be heavy with thundery downpours and a risk of spot flooding. Maximum temperatures of 17C to 21C in light to moderate southerly breezes.
"Showers will gradually die out in most places on Sunday night, however outbreaks of rain and drizzle will start to edge in from southwest overnight affecting much of the southern half of the country by morning. Lows of 9C to 13C in light southerly breezes.
"Mostly cloudy Monday with outbreaks of rain, heavy or possibly thundery at times. Some clearer brighter intervals will extend from the south through the late afternoon and evening. Light to moderate southeast or variable winds, will freshen for a time along southeastern coasts in the afternoon. Highs of 17C to 20C .
"Cloudy periods Tuesday, but sunny spells too with scattered showers, some heavy with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Becoming somewhat breezier with light to moderate northwest breezes developing. Highs of 16C to 20C .
"Sunny spells and scattered showers Wednesday. The showers will be mainly in the west at first but they will spread elsewhere by the afternoon. Light to moderate westerly breezes. Highs of 15C to 19C .
"Another day of sunny spells and showers Thursday. Clouding over from the southwest during the evening. Light westerly breezes. Highs of 15C to 19C .
"Current indications for Friday and next weekend suggest unsettled conditions will persist with showers or longer spells of rain at times."
