It is time to batten down the hatches as Met Éireann is forecasting widespread, very heavy rain, with some thundery downpours for the west and northwest of the country starting from 9pm on Thursday 10 September. The warning is relevant for Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. The downpours will develop Thursday night and persist through Friday, leading to spot flooding and possible accumulations of 35mm to 50mm. Up to 70mm could possibly fall on hilly ground and on mountains.

Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Waterford have all had a status yellow rainfall warning issued, also starting from this evening. The warning is valid until Saturday, with heavy falls of rain developing during Friday and Friday night, leading to spot flooding. There will be possible accumulations of 25mm to 35mm.

Fertiliser spreading

Although the poor weather looks like it may prohibit it, it is worth reminding farmers that the last day for fertiliser spreading is Tuesday 15 September, meaning that all chemical fertiliser must be spread by Monday 14 September. For organic fertilisers, the deadline is 15 October and for farmyard manure, it is 1 November. Fertiliser spreading for all the different types can recommence for Zone A counties (Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow) on 12 January, with the opening dates for zones B, C and C* starting thereafter.