Severe thunderstorms bring disruption across Munster
Thunder and lightning lit up skies across Munster this evening as powerful storms sweep through the province.
The combination of high humidity and warm temperatures triggered the downpours, with Met Éireann’s synoptic station at Shannon Airport reporting a “heavy thunderstorm” at 9pm.
Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning shortly after 5pm for Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick. The warning, valid until 10pm, highlighted the risk of difficult travelling conditions, localised flooding, lightning damage and power outages.
Hundreds of homes are without electricity after lightning strikes. Areas worst affected include Ventry and Tralee in Kerry, Shanagolden and Glin in Limerick, and Kilmihil, Labasheeda and Kilbaha in Co Clare.
A Ryanair flight to Malaga was forced to return to Shannon Airport this evening after being struck by lightning shortly after take-off, according to Clare FM.
