Laois weather warning upgraded to 'Status Orange' - lashing already in Connemara

Met Éireann has upgraded its weather warning for severe thundrestorms to a Status Orange.

The thunder warning covers Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and all of Connacht.

A Status Orange warning is issued for weather conditions that have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas. MORE ABOUT WEATHER WARNINGS

More below tweet:

Here's the rainfall forecast for the rest of today.
Note the very heavy, thundery showers through many central & western areas.
A reminder that we have an Orange Thunderstorm Warning in operation, details here: https://t.co/b24grJkqcb pic.twitter.com/IHG1mTGGEj

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 8, 2018

Met Éireann forecast "widespread thunderstorms with frequent lightning this afternoon and evening."

They said that it could could large amounts of rainfall in a short period of time with spot flooding likely in the affected counties.

The warning is valid from Friday lunchtime until 11pm on Friday night.

Warning Update: An Status Orange Thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the midlands and west, with a Status Yellow Thunderstorm warning also issued for further counties. Please see https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt for further information. pic.twitter.com/hcZxxMw2am

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 8, 2018