Drivers warned after heavy rain

Weather conditions are improving after the downpours yesterday when 40 mm (1½ ins) fell in some parts.

Weather conditions are improving after the downpours yesterday when 40 mm (1½ ins) fell in some parts.

The torrential rain led to a severe weather warning yesterday from Met Éireann and advice to drivers from the National Safety Council and AA Roadwatch to take extra care on the roads.

Yesterday evening, an AA Roadwatch spokeswoman said there was still a good bit of surface water around and traffic had been a little heavier. There was quite bad flooding on the road from Loughrea to Portumna in Co Galway.

However, Met Éireann spokesman Mr Pat Clarke said the weather would improve today and showers would continue to push away tomorrow and Thursday. He warned there would still be some heavy showers, especially in Leinster and east Ulster but they would not be as severe as yesterday.

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"It [40 mm\] is a bit unusual, as it is very heavy but we had as many as 64 mm on June 9th. Because we had such good weather for the past week, all through the Special Olympics, we notice it all the more," said Mr Clarke.

Today the weather will be generally bright and the rain in the far east and south will soon clear. There will be some sunny spells but heavy showers will persist in the east. Top temperatures will range from 17° to 20°.

Fresher weather will develop tomorrow and continue for Thursday and Friday. It will be brighter and dry for much of the time, although there could be scattered showers inland. Afternoon temperatures will range from the high teens to 20° or 21°.