Met Eireann issues 15-hour rain warning for Cork and Kerry as heatwave hopes fade

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry, with heavy rain expected to arrive from Wednesday night and continue into Thursday afternoon.

The warning runs from 9pm on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, until 12pm on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Met Éireann says the 15-hour alert brings a risk of spot flooding and difficult travel conditions.

Up to 50mm of rain is possible in parts of the west and southwest, according to the reporting.

What the warning means

The alert is aimed at areas in Cork and Kerry where persistent rain could quickly affect roads and local movement. Motorists and commuters are among those most likely to feel the impact, especially during the overnight period and into Thursday morning.

The warning also comes as hopes of a warm spell have been pushed back by a more unsettled weather pattern.

Broader wet spell

The wider forecast highlighted in the coverage points to rain spreading across several counties, with Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Kilkenny, Dublin and Wicklow among the wetter areas named on weather maps. Galway and Clare are also expected to see moderate to heavy rain.

The unsettled conditions are expected to continue into the following days, so the rain warning may not be the last update if the forecast changes.

Residents in flood-prone spots are being advised to keep an eye on local conditions, particularly where water can collect quickly on roads and low-lying ground.