A Status Yellow rainfall warning is in place for Munster, Connacht and Donegal.

Met Éireann said rainfall accumulations, generally between 20mm to 30mm, are expected during Friday and Saturday.

The forecaster said 40mm to 50 mm accumulations are possible in mountainous areas, with a continuing risk of flooding due to already saturated ground and elevated river levels.

The warning is due to remain in place until midnight on Saturday.

TODAY

A cloudy day with rain extending countrywide this morning.

There will be some heavy falls, particularly in the west and south, with localised flooding possible.

Some sleet or hill snow is possible too in parts of Ulster early this morning.

It should become drier for a time in the afternoon before another band of rain extends from the southwest in the evening.

It will be milder than recent days with afternoon temperatures ranging 7C to 11C degrees generally, but remaining cold in Ulster until later in the evening.

Fresh to strong and gusty southeasterly winds will veer southwesterly through the day.

TONIGHT

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle are set to continue in most parts of the country early on tonight, turning heavy at times.

The rain will clear away to the east overnight and will be followed by clearer and colder conditions with scattered showers in the west and south.

It will be windy with fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest winds, reaching gale force in western coastal areas by tomorrow morning.

It will be mild early in the night, but will get gradually colder, with lowest temperatures of 1C to 3C occurring near dawn.