BRIGHTER weather will follow in behind from the west today after Ireland is pummelled by heavy rain, gusty wind and lightening strikes.
Three counties are currently under a Status Orange alert whilst seven counties battle with heavy rain coupled with strong and gusty winds under a Status Yellow warning.
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Heavy and persistent rain with strong and gusty southerly winds, especially in exposed areas.
Donegal, Galway and Mayo will remain under the Status Orange alert until 10am, with Met Eireann warning that flooding, "very difficult" travelling conditions and poor visibility is to be expected alongside "heavy and persistent rain".
Met Eireann warn that a Status Orange alert is infrequent and "dangerous or disruptive".
People in Clare, Donegal and Connacht have been urged to expected localised flooding, damage to temporary structures, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility under the Status Yellow alert.
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The weather warning, which kicked in yesterday, will also remain in place until 10am this morning.
Some 90mm of rain has fallen in Galway in the past 24 hours as Ireland is battered by the miserable conditions - but brighter weather looks set to dominate.
Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather this morning said: "Lightning strikes in parts of West Cork this morning with heavy rain.
"That rain will cross the country through this morning and afternoon. Some areas only seeing light rain but heavy in parts.
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"Brighter weather following in behind from the West for afternoon and evening."
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The weather expert continued: "Over 20mm since midnight in parts of Mayo and Maam Valley has another 10mm on top of the 80mm up to midnight so that’s 90mm at Maam Valley in Galway in 24 hours!"
Met Eireann confirmed that the rain will be "very heavy or thundery" in parts with localised flooding as it continues over the western half of the country this morning.
The rain will spread eastwards this morning and afternoon as a clearance to sunny spells follows to the west.
Rain will clear the east by early evening and conditions will be breezy at first with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds, veering westerly and easing once the rain clears.
Temperatures will be at their highest early on, between 17C and 21C, with fresher conditions following the rain.
It will be "largely dry and clear" tonight but scattered showers will feed into western counties as temperatures reach their lowest between 8C and 12C.
Weather bosses confirmed that tomorrow will "be a brighter day" with sunny spells and scattered showers at first.
'GENERALLY MIXED CONDITIONS'
However, Met Eireann warned that showers will become more widespread and frequent by afternoon before easing in the evening.
Temperatures tomorrow are expected to be at their highest between 15C and 19C.
Looking towards the rest of the week, Met Eireann said: "Generally mixed conditions with rain or showers at times but also with good dry and bright periods.
"Temperatures generally in the mid to high teens or low twenties."
On Wednesday, temperatures will be at their highest between 16C and 20C as a mix of cloud, sunny spells and scattered showers hit in the morning.
Thursday will be "mostly cloudy and wet" with outbreaks of rain becoming widespread through the morning.
The rain will start to clear from the west through the afternoon by showers and some sunny spells as temperatures reach their highest between 17C and 21C.
Sunny spells and some scattered showers can be expected on Friday with temperatures peaking at highs of 17C to 22C.
Weather bosses confirmed that conditions will be warmest in south Leinster.
Looking further ahead, Met Eireann said: "Indications are that our weather will continue rather changeable with temperatures generally in the high teens to low twenties."
