Heavy Thunderstorms and Flooding Risk for Cork as Weather Takes Dramatic Turn

Met Éireann is warning of thundery downpours and potential spot flooding across Cork today as the recent warm spell gives way to unsettled conditions.

After a bright start with sunny spells and scattered showers this Monday morning, cloud will build significantly through the afternoon and evening. The national forecaster warns that prolonged, heavy showers are developing, with some thundery downpours possible.

Temperatures will reach a modest 14 to 19 degrees, coolest in the southwest, with moderate south to southwest winds strengthening along western and southern coastal areas.

Cathal Nolan, Ireland's Weather Channel:

"There's plenty of isolated thunderstorms developing across the country at the moment with some locally strong thunderstorms passing through the west this morning. These isolated thunderstorms will continue through the day but becoming more widespread overnight as heavy downpours form more organised bouts of rain with embedded thunderstorms."

Tonight's conditions look particularly challenging, with showers turning to longer spells of rain that may become heavy and thundery. Met Éireann specifically warns of spot flooding potential, with temperatures dropping to 10 to 13 degrees amid fresh and gusty southwest to west winds.

Relief appears on the horizon for Tuesday, when showers will become increasingly isolated during the morning and largely confined to the southwest coast. Spells of sunshine are expected to develop through the afternoon, with temperatures climbing to a more pleasant 17 to 20 degrees.

For those with hay fever, pollen levels remain high today and tomorrow. The UV index sits at moderate levels, reaching locally high in any sunshine that breaks through.

The unsettled pattern continues through the week, with mixed conditions expected and temperatures remaining cooler and fresher than recent days, though conditions may turn milder around midweek.