Status Yellow high temperature warning set to expire

A Status Yellow high temperature warning for Ireland is being lifted this morning, having been in place since Tuesday.

The nationwide alert, which warned of temperatures of over 27C, is due to expire at 9am.

Electricity to around 8,000 households, farms and businesses has been reconnected after supply was cut during thunderstorms.

A Status Orange thunderstorm warning for Sligo, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon was lifted last night.

Met Éireann said today will be cloudier than previous days with patchy outbreaks of rain in the southwest spreading northeastwards across the country through the morning.

The rain will become more persistent and heavier at times in the afternoon and evening.

It will be cooler too, with highest temperatures of 17C to 22C generally, warmest in the midlands, east and northeast, and a little cooler near Atlantic coasts, with moderate to fresh south to southwest winds easing through the day.

Tonight will be cloudy, however, any outbreaks of rain will clear the east coast before clear spells and scattered showers spread from the west.

The heatwave is continuing on mainland Europe with more intense heat now forecast for Germany and Poland today where pemperatur4es are forecast to rise above 40C.

The intense heat had been linked to dozens of deaths across the continent.