This Monday morning, residents of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick awoke to the news that a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning had been issued for their counties, with Met Éireann cautioning locals to brace for a dramatic shift in weather. After a weekend of balmy temperatures and mostly clear skies—a boon for those attending the much-anticipated Oasis concerts—the forecast signaled an abrupt return to the unpredictable Irish summer.
The Status Yellow warning, which came into effect at 9am on August 18, 2025, and is set to last until 6pm, covers a wide swath of the country’s southwest. According to Met Éireann, the alert was prompted by the likelihood of heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and spot flooding, as well as the risk of frequent lightning and potential power outages. The warning may even be extended to Waterford during the day, underscoring the volatile nature of the weather system sweeping across the region.
“Dry in many places to begin today with sunny spells after some early mist patches. Cloud will build over much of Munster, south Leinster and south Connacht through the morning with showers developing, turning heavy at times with thunderstorms likely,” Met Éireann noted in its official forecast, as cited by the Irish Mirror. Temperatures were expected to climb to a respectable 18 to 24 degrees Celsius, with the northwest enjoying the warmest conditions. Light to moderate easterly breezes offered some relief, but the main story was the threat posed by the incoming thunderstorms.
Deirdre Lowe, a meteorologist with Met Éireann, elaborated on the situation, telling The Sun, “Some showers will feed in from the southeast over the next couple of days, bringing the likelihood of some heavy downpours and thunderstorms.” She emphasized that Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, in particular, needed to prepare for the possibility of severe weather throughout the day. “Frequent lightning is possible with power outages and localised flooding. This warning may be extended to Waterford too,” Lowe added.
The warning’s potential impacts are far from trivial. The national forecaster listed possible lightning damage, outages, localised flooding, and difficult travelling conditions as key concerns. For those commuting or planning to be on the roads, the advice was clear: exercise caution. Lightning strikes had already been reported across west Cork, coinciding with the thunderstorm warning, according to The Journal.
Despite the threat looming over the southwest, the rest of Ireland was expected to enjoy a relatively pleasant day. “In northern and eastern parts of the country it will hold mainly dry with sunny spells,” Met Éireann’s Deirdre Lowe explained. Early morning mist was forecast to clear quickly, giving way to a mix of sunshine and clouds. However, as the morning progressed, cloud cover was set to thicken over Munster, south Leinster, and south Connacht, with showers developing and intensifying into thunderstorms in some areas.
For those in the affected counties, the day’s weather was a study in contrasts. While the morning began dry in most places, the atmosphere grew increasingly unsettled as showers developed. Some of these showers, Met Éireann warned, could turn heavy or even thundery. The highest temperatures were expected to hover between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius, providing a muggy backdrop to the unfolding weather drama.
Looking ahead to the evening and overnight, the unsettled conditions were forecast to persist. Further showers were expected to move in, particularly affecting the south of Leinster, Munster, and South Connacht. “It will be mild and muggy tonight with further heavy showers feeding into southern parts which could be thundery. Lows of 12C to 16C in mostly light east to northeast breezes,” the forecast read. For those hoping for a quick return to calmer weather, the outlook remained mixed.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, was set to bring more of the same, with “sunny spells and scattered showers, which could be heavy or thundery,” primarily in Munster or south Leinster. Temperatures were predicted to range from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, accompanied by light to moderate easterly breezes. Just a few stray showers were anticipated elsewhere, offering a brief respite for those outside the main impact zones.
Met Éireann also provided a glimpse into the rest of the week, predicting a gradual transition to fresher and slightly cooler conditions. “A good deal of dry weather, with temperatures falling back slightly but still continuing close to or above normal for the time of year,” the forecaster stated. High pressure was expected to bring nearly dry conditions with sunny spells and only a few light showers scattered about, a welcome change for those weary of the recent weather rollercoaster.
For many in Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, the thunderstorm warning was a reminder of the region’s susceptibility to sudden meteorological shifts. Power outages and localized flooding are all too familiar hazards, especially during the summer months when warm, humid air can quickly give rise to intense storms. The warning also highlighted the importance of staying informed and prepared, with residents encouraged to monitor updates from Met Éireann and to take precautions if venturing outdoors.
The broader context for this week’s weather drama is Ireland’s famously fickle climate, where sunshine and showers often share the same sky. While the rest of the country may continue to bask in hazy sunshine and mild temperatures, the southwest’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of Irish weather. For concertgoers and holidaymakers alike, the message was clear: keep an umbrella handy and don’t take the sunshine for granted.
As the Status Yellow thunderstorm warning continues through the afternoon and into the evening, all eyes will remain on the skies above Cork, Kerry, and Limerick. Whether the warning is extended to Waterford or conditions improve sooner than expected, one thing is certain—the Irish summer is never short on surprises.
