Ireland weather: Two counties brace for double weather warning as brutal conditions forecast for Thursday

Spot flooding is possible in some areas today as rain will become heaviest along the east coast

Batten down the hatches if you're out and about on the east coast today as some areas will be battered by rain and wind through what will be an overall miserable Thursday.

At midday, a rare double Status Yellow warning - for both wind and rain - will come into effect for the counties of Dublin and Wicklow. This will remain in place until 8pm on Thursday, with Met Eireann warning of the potential for spot flooding and traffic disruption as a result of the unfavourable conditions.

In the North, the UK Met Office has also issued a yellow rain warning for the counties of Antrim, Armagh and Down but this came into effect last night and will expire at noon on Thursday.

READ MORE - Major Ireland weather update as dramatic maps show monster storm and Met Eireann gives verdict

READ MORE - New storm names revealed - as Met Eireann select chosen few from 500 contenders

There looks to be some respite from Friday afternoon into Saturday as drier conditions prevail nationwide but this may be short-lived as heavy rain will return on Sunday and likely continue into the early days of next week.

A Met Eireann spokesperson said: "A very wet and cloudy start this morning with bands of rain becoming widespread and heavy at times too. The rain will be heaviest and most persistent across Leinster with spot flooding possible. Northerly winds will be fresh to strong and gusty at times with highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees.

"The heavy and persistent rain will gradually clear southwards through the evening but it will remain rather cloudy. Fresh to strong and gusty northerly winds will gradually ease too with lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees.

"A cooler and rather cloudy start with a good scattering of showers drifting down from the north. Some sunny spells will develop later in the afternoon as the northerly breeze weakens. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees."

Sign up to the Irish Mirror's daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox