European forecasters Estofex say tornadoes are likely over Ireland either today or tomorrow. They say the stormy, windy and rainy conditions are perfect for isolated tornado incidents.

They say Ireland might see "the best probabilities for an isolated severe event". A sharp warm front is set to move ashore during the day tomorrow. The forecasters say the air mass features subtropical characteristics.

"An isolated tornado event may occur with isolated thunderstorm development", Estofex adds.

It says another issue will be heavy rain over Ireland, as the surface low gradually approaches from the south-west during the night. They forecast that showers and isolated thunderstorms will also produce the heavy rainfall.

The Estofex forecast has Ireland as level 1 severity 

However Met Eireann say they do not forecast tornadoes as they are notoriously hard to predict.

It comes after the weather service earlier issued a rainfall warning for Munster, Connacht and west Ulster. The Met says heavy rain today will lead to localised flooding especially in the west.

It has forecast heavy rain at times today with a risk of thunder and and expects up to 30 millimetres possible in parts of the west. It says a further 30 to 40 millimetres may fall overnight and on Thursday.

Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly says funnel clouds are possible.