Flood warning issued by Met Éireann with heavy downpours expected overnight

Met Éireann has advised people to be aware of the threat of flooding overnight tonight (Thursday) and into tomorrow.

A yellow-level rainfall warning is to come into effect in sixteen counties, including Westmeath and Offaly, from 11pm.

The warning will remain in effect for nine hours, until 8am on Friday, with the forecasting service saying the downpours were "likely to cause flooding" in some areas.

While it will be another mild night, the rain will rain "become widespread" after dark and will be heavy in places with the chance of embedded thunderstorms".

The rain "will become confined to the north and east of the country later in the night," Met Éireann added.