ALERT: Thunderstorms and hail on the way as weekend forecast remains uncertain

Met Éireann is warning heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely in many places this Tuesday morning and early in the afternoon before the weather clears for a brighter and drier evening.

According to well-known weatherman Alan O'Reilly of Carlow weather, a band of heavy rain moved across the country overnight resulting in up to 10mm of rainfall in some places.

In an update this Tuesday morning, he said some bright spells can be expected but that there will also be heavy showers with a risk of thunder in strong breeze.

In its latest forecast, Met Éireann says there will be Spells of occasionally heavy rain at first clearing northwestwards in the afternoon with bright or sunny spells and showers following.

"Some of the showers will be heavy, with thunderstorms and hail likely, particularly across parts of the midlands and west," it states.

"Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in mostly moderate southerly or variable winds, strong at times in the north and east before easing later."