Ireland has avoided the worst of a powerful Atlantic low-pressure system, which will stay offshore on Thursday, bringing rain and wind warnings to some counties but sparing the island from more severe conditions.

Status Yellow warnings have been issued for 12 counties across Ireland as a low-pressure system brings heavy rain and strong winds to parts on Thursday.

Rain warnings from Met Éireann cover Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo, while wind warnings are in effect for Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Kerry.

The UK Met Office has also issued a Yellow wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from 1pm until 11pm on Thursday.

The heaviest rainfall is expected in Connemara and south Munster, where 30 to 40 millimetres of rain could fall between Tuesday morning and Friday morning. Higher totals are possible over mountains in west Cork and south Kerry, increasing the risk of localised flooding and difficult travel conditions.

The strongest winds are likely in exposed coastal areas, with gusts of 90 to 100 kilometres per hour expected at Sherkin Island and Roches Point in Cork, Valentia in Kerry, Mace Head in Galway and Belmullet in Mayo.

Maritime conditions will be hazardous. A Status Yellow Gale Warning covers all Irish coastal waters and the Irish Sea, with southeasterly winds veering southerly reaching gale force 8 at times from 7am Thursday until midnight Friday.