Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in several counties over the coming hours.

The warning, which is now in force, applies to counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois and Offaly.

The national forecaster said that the scattered thunderstorms at times may cause lightning and spot flooding.

The warning is currently due to remain in place until 8:00p.m tonight (Monday, May 19).

Met Éireann has said that over the next seven days, rainfall amounts are expected to trend above average with showery conditions through midweek.

This is forecast to be followed by widespread rainfall from Friday, with around 10-30mm of rainfall expected over entire week.

For the coming week, both mean air and soil temperatures will continue to be well above average for mid-May.

Generally, the mean air temperatures will trend 2° or 3°C above the seasonal norm, which equates to between 12° and 14°.

As soil moisture deficits are above 50 mm in many areas, Met Éireann noted that growth is increasingly restricted.

Growth will continue to be increasingly restricted as soil moisture deficits will increase up to 60mm, highest in Munster.

With rainfall forecast from Friday, values will likely recover to between 20-50mm by next weekend.

Drying conditions are expected to be good for much of the coming week, but will be moderate to poor during any scattered showers today and tomorrow.

There will generally be good opportunities for spraying over the coming week, with mostly light or moderate breezes.