Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warning for six counties from today

A Status Yellow warning has been issued

The warning states the thunderstorms could have a 'significant impact' into the evening for six counties in particular, with warnings that they could be life threatening at their peak.

The news comes as Ireland braces for its hottest day ever, with some temperatures expected to soar to as high as 34C today.

Met Eireann have issued a general weather warning for the week's hot weather, saying:

"Exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland this week. Daytime temperatures will exceed 25 degrees, with temperatures possibly reaching 30 degrees on Thursday. Very mild, humid and possibly uncomfortable at night as temperatures will generally stay above 15 degrees. Thunderstorms are possible also, particularly on Thursday.

Please check the met.ie website and app for updates to forecasts and warnings in the coming days.

Potential impacts:
• Water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches
• Uncomfortable sleeping conditions
• Heat stress"

Thunderstorm warning for six counties in Ireland

The weather warning is for Connacht, comprised of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim as well as Donegal.

Kenneth McDonagh, from the Donegal Weather Channel, has said there has already been thunderstorm activity across the West this morning, as per the Irish Sun.

He said: “Note not all areas will see these conditions but where does it could be very dangerous especially across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim west Derry, West Tyrone and West Fermanagh later.”

McDonagh warned these are 'not going to be like conditions you see during a normal thunderstorm here in Ireland'.

Cathal Nolan, of Ireland's Weather Channel, has even said there is a possible tornado event, saying:

"These thunderstorms are going to be violent in nature, they’re going to lead to frequent and intense lightning.

“They’re going to lead to very large hailstones in excess of five to seven centimetres, so that’s golf ball size and even a little bit bigger which can cause damage.

“It’s going to lead to flash flooding in some areas as well, given the mountainous terrain in this region. there is a history of flash flooding in parts of Donegal and today is likely to be the case as well.

“50mm to 100mm of rain falling within a matter of a couple of hours is going to lead to some flooding concerns.

“There is also the risk of some very strong winds, so these storms because of the powerful down drafts that they generate, they lead to squall winds as well which could go to 110kmh in some instances, perhaps causing some damage.

“As well as that, we have to mention that there is a very outside chance of a tornado event in this area as well.”