Met Éireann has issued multiple Status Yellow warnings ahead of Thursday as heavy rain and strong southerly winds are expected to impact southern counties.

A rain warning is in place for Cork and Kerry from 11am to 8pm on Thursday, with spells of heavy rain bringing a risk of localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travel conditions.

A wind warning follows for Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wexford from 11am to 11pm on Thursday. Very strong and gusty southerly winds, with gales along coasts, may lead to hazardous driving conditions, some fallen trees and wave overtopping.

Gusts are likely to reach 90 to 100 km/h in exposed coastal locations of the south and west, including Sherkin Island and Roches Point in Cork, Valentia in Kerry, Mace Head in Galway and Belmullet in Galway. Some isolated gusts exceeding 100 km/h are possible.

A marine warning is also in effect for all coasts of Ireland and the Irish Sea from 7am Thursday to midnight. Southeasterly winds, veering southerly, will reach gale force 8 at times.

Ireland will experience an unsettled end to October, with the pattern continuing into the opening week of November. A mobile Atlantic airflow will dominate, bringing periods of wet and windy weather across the country.