Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for some Munster counties, including: Cork, Kerry, and Waterford.

The warning will come into effect from midnight on Saturday (October 5), remaining in place until midnight on Sunday (October 6).

Heavy and persistent rain is expected, and the national forecaster has warned of localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

South or south-east winds are expected to reach gale force 6 or higher from today (Thursday, October 3) through to the weekend.

On a national scale, weather is expected to remain generally dry up until the weekend, and just a few isolated light showers, however heavier in the south of the country.

Saturday is expected to be wet and breezy with showery outbreaks of rain, heavy at times with some localised flooding. Temperatures will range between 14° to 17° in fresh south or southeast winds.

The last of the overnight cloud and rain will clear the north and east on Sunday morning to leave a day of sunny spells, with heavy showers continuing in the south.

Most places were wetter than normal over the past week, with rainfall amounts generally ranging between 105% and 345% of average, according to Met Éireann.

However, it was drier in the north-west with rainfall amounts there between 65% and 100% of average.

The least rainfall was recorded at Claremorris, Co. Mayo, where 16.8mm was recorded. It was wettest in the south-east with 81.6mm recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.

Drying conditions will generally be moderate today, with rainfall from Friday resulting in poor drying. Rainfall will also prevent drying.

Currently, soil moisture deficits are between five and 25mm for most areas. Soils in the north-west, north midlands and near the south coast are closer to saturation.