Met Éireann is warning of treacherous conditions on our roads later today due to heavy rain.

The long spell of good weather is expected to break this afternoon. An orange rainfall alert* has been issued.

Intense thunderstorms are forecast for the midlands, west and northwest – specifically Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath and Meath.

There will be very heavy and thundery downpours in places, with localised flooding, especially in midland and northwestern areas.

The warnings came into effect from noon today and remain until 1am tonight.

However Met Éireann forecaster John Eagleton said temperatures would remain high this week.

“It will stay warm, with temperatures in the low 20s for most of the week,” he said. It will cool a little bit next weekend, though temperatures will still be above normal.

Drier weather will return on Wednesday, though some showers will still be possible.

*An orange weather warning is for weather events that have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas.