Status Yellow Rain warning put in place for County Donegal from Saturday evening

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow Rain warning for County Donegal and three other western counties, advising the public to prepare for a period of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential localised disruption.

The alert, which also covers Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, comes into effect at 9 PM this evening, Saturday, running until 9pm on Sunday, November 23.

The national forecaster warns that heavy or thundery rain is expected across the region, which will eventually transition into showery conditions, including the possibility of hail. Given the intensity of the forecast precipitation, the primary impacts highlighted are spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions on roads throughout the affected areas.

The warning period begins as a relatively cloudy Saturday draws to a close, following a morning where fog patches slowly cleared. The rain is expected to intensify rapidly after 9pm and persist continuously throughout the overnight hours and well into Sunday morning.

Additionally, separate Status Yellow Wind warnings are in place for some western and eastern counties on Sunday, indicating a broader band of unsettled and windy weather moving across the country. Although Donegal is not included in the main Wind warning, the combination of heavy rain and strong, gusty winds will further compound the poor conditions, making driving particularly hazardous.

Motorists and residents are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, and be vigilant for surface water and flooded areas, especially on Sunday morning when the cumulative effect of the rain will be at its peak. As a Yellow alert signifies weather that is not unusual but carries a localised danger, residents should secure loose outdoor items and monitor updates from Met Éireann and local authorities.