Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow thunder warning for the six counties of Munster, which will come into effect later today, Thursday, August 13.

Issued this morning at 11:00am, the alert will be valid from 3:00pm this evening through to 11:59pm tonight.

The warning will affect counties: Cork; Kerry; Tipperary; Waterford; Limerick; and Clare.

In these counties, the national meteorological office warns that thunderstorms will likely develop this afternoon and evening.

Due to the localised nature of thunderstorm activity some areas will escape completely, but areas impacted will see torrential downpours with possible hail, leading to some spot flooding, the forecaster warns.

Meanwhile, the Status Yellow environmental warning for blight remains in effect.

Conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will develop in coastal counties and continue for the rest of this week, developing more widely through Munster later today.

There will be limited opportunities for spraying in northern areas today and tomorrow, the forecaster added.

For the country in general, Met Éireann says that mist will linger in places early this afternoon, but conditions will brighten up as the day goes on, with the best of the sunshine in Ulster and north Leinster.

Heavy showers will develop during the afternoon and evening, mainly in Munster, with some thundery downpours likely, leading to spot flooding.

Highest temperatures of 21° to 26° are expected, warmest in the west, in a light to moderate easterly breeze.

Meanwhile, a muggy night is on the cards for tonight. Showers will continue in the south of the country, though it will be largely dry with clear spells elsewhere.

It will remain very mild and humid with temperatures not falling below 14° to 17°. Mist and fog patches will form in a mostly light northeasterly breeze, Met Éireann concludes.