BREAKING: Status Orange thunder warning issued for Laois and 15 other counties

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange thunder warning for 16 counties today including Laois. 

The warning was issued at 3pm on Friday afternoon and remains in place until 10pm tonight.

The following counties will be affected by the "severe thunderstorm activity": Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Westmeath, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, Cork and Tipperary.

A Status Yellow rain warning is also in place for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford until 10pm tonight.

Met Éireann is also tracking lightening strikes.

Latest lightning data (4pm).
Crosses represent lightning strikes.
White = in the last 20 minuteshttps://t.co/YT10HK8tIi pic.twitter.com/PtoLzibHCM

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 1, 2018

The Office for Emergency Planning which responded to Storm Emma and Hurricane Brian is also warning the public of the risk the weather poses.

Please note the @MetEireann Orange weather alert in place for large no of counties this evening for localized severe thunderstorms and potential torrential downpours & lightening strikes - make sure you are safe and that you have your mobile phones charged in case of power outage

— OEP (@emergencyIE) June 1, 2018

FULL FORECAST: Torrential rain and thunderstorms set to hit under Met Éireann weather warning.

Thunderstorm Warning Updated
Status: Orange
Valid: Friday 3pm to Friday 10pm
Localized severe thunderstorm activity over the next few hours. Torrential downpours and lightning strikes.https://t.co/b24grJkqcb pic.twitter.com/efIzB21zss

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 1, 2018

PICTURES: Laois photographer captures thunderstorm beautifully.