Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Northern Ireland

Heavy, thundery rain is expected to hit parts of Northern Ireland on Sunday night, possibly causing disruptions.

The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm warning that starts at midnight and lasts until 07:00 BST on Monday.

While not all areas will experience these conditions, thunderstorms could bring frequent lightning, strong winds, and even large hail. The rain will move east quickly, with the worst of the weather clearing by Monday morning. However, the downpours could be intense, with 20-40mm of rain expected to fall within an hour in some places. Some areas might see up to 60mm before the rain clears.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for the Republic of Ireland, effective from 22:00 BST on Sunday until 08:00 BST on Monday. Heavy, thundery rain is expected to move east overnight, which could make driving dangerous due to spray and sudden flooding.

The Met Office has also warned about possible power cuts and damage to buildings from floodwater, lightning, hail, or strong winds. Their forecast for Sunday night into Monday predicts thick clouds and possible heavy showers by midnight.

A band of heavy, thundery rain is expected to develop overnight, with frequent lightning as an additional hazard. Winds are also expected to pick up, with a minimum temperature of 15°C.

Here’s what the Met Office is advising:

• Spray and sudden flooding could make driving difficult and also cause road closures.
• Flooding or lightning strikes could lead to delays and cancellations of train and bus services.
• Power cuts might happen, and some homes and businesses could lose other services.
• Some homes and businesses might flood quickly, with possible damage from floodwater, lightning, hail, or strong winds.
• There’s a small chance of fast-moving or deep floodwater, which could be life-threatening.