Met Éireann has issued two status yellow warnings for rain for counties in the west, north-west and south-west.

The earlier of the two warnings will apply to counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.

This warning will come into effect at 9:00p.m tonight (Friday, September 11) and will remain in effect until 9:00a.m tomorrow (Saturday, September 12).

The impacted counties will see a spell of heavy rain, with thunderstorms possible.

Potential impacts in these areas will include localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions, and lightening damage.

The second warning applies to counties Cork and Kerry.

This warning will come into effect at 9:00a.m tomorrow morning and will remain in place until 9:00p.m tomorrow evening.

These counties will see a spell of persistent rain, turning heavy at times.

Potential impacts will include localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions, and impacts on outdoor events.

Weather

Generally, a wetter-than-average spell is on the way, with rain and showers set to dominate the weather over the coming days, at times turning heavy.

Latest forecasts suggest there will be some drier breaks, but rainfall totals are expected to run well above normal across much of the country.

The north-west looks set to see the wettest conditions, with up to 250% of average rainfall currently forecast.

In contrast, the far south and south-east should be the driest areas, with rainfall closer to or below normal levels.

Temperatures today will be in the region of 15° to 20°.

Cloud will thicken near western Atlantic coasts later in the evening and there will be outbreaks of rain and drizzle.

By nightfall the rain will turn heavier, particularly across the west and north, and winds will increase to moderate to fresh and gusty, stronger near coasts.

Lowest temperatures overnight will be between 10° to 15°.

Tomorrow will start off wet and breezy but the rain will clear south-wards throughout the morning and potentially linger longer in the south for much of the day.

Further north, drier conditions will develop with scattered showers and possibly some brighter spells following the clearance of the rain.

Highest temperatures will be 16° to 21°, with moderate to fresh south-westerly winds easing with the clearance of the rain.

Sunday (September 13) is likely to stay dry for most of the day with just a few light showers.