Met Éireann has issued Yellow Status Small Craft Warnings for both the Atlantic and Irish Sea coasts, with strong winds forecast to affect coastal waters throughout Thursday.

From Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head, southerly winds will veer southwesterly and reach force 6 at times, with the warning in effect from 6:00am to 9:00pm on Thursday, 17 July.

A second warning, covering the northeast coast from Malin Head to Belfast Lough to Carlingford Lough, will see southeasterly winds veering southerly, also reaching force 6. This alert is valid from 11:00am to 11:00pm on Thursday.

Met Éireann issued both warnings on Wednesday evening, advising small craft operators to take caution as the fresh to strong winds may pose a hazard in exposed coastal waters.

Unsettled conditions to continue

A spell of mixed and unsettled weather is set to continue over the coming days, with heavy rain and scattered thundery showers expected across much of the country.

Rain will arrive in the southwest today before moving northeast and clearing by evening. Thunderstorms are most likely on Thursday and Sunday, especially in Ulster and the North Midlands.

Friday is expected to bring the best of the brighter, drier conditions, particularly in western areas, with a chance of further settled weather early next week as high pressure builds from the south. Temperatures will stay in the mid-teens to low twenties, warmest in the east and south, with light to moderate winds.