Thunderstorm warning for parts of NI and showers likely in Portrush
Lightning over Lough Foyle in August 2024
- Published
A thunderstorm warning is in place for parts of Northern Ireland from Sunday afternoon.
The Met Office is forecasting thunderstorms in counties Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh.
The warning is in place until 20:00 BST on Sunday.
It will be followed by a spell of prolonged and locally heavy rain setting in on Sunday night and continuing into Monday.
Lightning in Kesh, County Fermanagh, in June 2023
Rainfall amounts will vary from place to place but in some locations 20-40mm is possible within a couple of hours.
Heavy downpours of rain will be the primary hazard, but lightning strikes and hail are also possible, the Met Office said.
The odd heavy shower is possible at The Open on Sunday but Royal Portrush is outside the warning area.
These sudden downpours could lead to localised flooding and difficult travel conditions.
Localised flooding, such as near Moira in 2023, is possible
A separate warning for heavy rain has been issued for eastern and south-eastern counties, Antrim, Down and Armagh.
This alert comes into effect at 18:00 BST on Sunday and is valid for 24 hours, until 18:00 BST on Monday.
The prolonged nature of this rain band, combined with it being heavy at times, could lead to large accumulations of rain falling during this period.
There is some uncertainty as to how far west the rain area will extend.
According to the Met Office: "A band of rain will become heavy and persistent during Sunday night and Monday, most likely across more eastern and south-eastern parts of Northern Ireland.
"There remains a good deal of uncertainty as to the east-west position of this rain band, but where it does occur some places could see 50-75 mm in 12-18 hours."
Met Éireann warning
In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann has issued a yellow alert for counties Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow and Monaghan, valid from 00:00 to 12:00 local time on Monday.