Status Yellow rain warning for the country on Thursday

Storm Austen will bring with it heavy rain for the entire country on Thursday.

MET Éireann has issued a status Yellow Rain Warning for Ireland on Thursday as the first storm of this season is set to hit the west coast and make its way across the country.

The warning will come into effect from 7pm on Thursday and remain in place until 8am on Friday.

According to the forecaster, "a low pressure system moving from the UK and Ireland on Thursday and Friday will bring a spell of string winds and rain."

Status yellow warnings mean difficult or hazardous travelling conditions due to poor visibility and spray on roads and the potential for localised or spot flooding.

In the meantime, a similar yellow warning is in place for Dublin and Wicklow today.