Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warnings for 16 Irish counties as outages hit 15,000 homes and businesses

Thunderstorm warnings across Ireland

Met Éireann issued Status Yellow thunderstorm warnings for 16 counties on Friday, June 26, as storms moved across Ireland after a spell of very warm weather.

The warning covered Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Tipperary, Connacht, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath. Separate warnings were also already in place for parts of Northern Ireland.

The forecaster warned of localised flooding, hail damage, difficult travelling conditions and possible damage to utilities. It also said unstable conditions could still produce further showers and thundery downpours later in the day.

Power outages reported

ESB Networks said weather linked to the thunderstorms had caused power outages in parts of the country.

By 9 a.m., the utility said about 15,000 homes, farms and businesses were without electricity. The worst-hit areas were in the south-west and west of Donegal, including some customers in Inishowen.

The outages added a major disruption element to the storm outbreak, with lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds all capable of affecting overhead lines and other infrastructure.

From heat to instability

The thunderstorms followed a hot spell that set up a more unstable air mass over Ireland. The previous day, temperatures reached 31.7C in Athenry, County Galway.

Met Éireann also had a nationwide yellow high temperature warning in force at the same time, reflecting the lingering heat before the storms developed.

Earlier overnight warnings had already covered Donegal and Connacht until 9 a.m., while a later warning for 12 counties was due to run until 6 p.m. on Friday.

What happens next

The immediate question is whether Met Éireann extends, lifts or broadens the warnings as the day progresses.

ESB Networks will also be watched for updated outage totals and restoration timing, particularly in Donegal and other affected areas.

Flooding and transport disruption remain possible if the same counties are hit by additional thundery showers later in the day, and Met Éireann said unstable conditions could still trigger more downpours.

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