The warning will be valid from 2pm tomorrow until 9am on Monday morning and will cause “persistent rain, heavy at times” in the southwest, Met Éireann has confirmed.

It will apply to counties Cork and Kerry, with localised flooding and difficult travel conditions a possibility.

This will kick off what the national forecaster has described as “generally unsettled” conditions for next week, bringing “frequent” showers as December gets off to a damp start.

It has been a significantly wet period of weather in recent weeks as storms and rain warnings persisted without much respite.

This morning will see a mix of cloud and sunny spells with rain isolated in the southeast before clearing by the afternoon and appearing in patches in the northwest. Temperatures of 6C to 9C are expected.

Tonight will be clear in most parts, though showers will pop up in the north and west in the early evening with chilly temperatures of as low as -2C to 2C.

Tomorrow morning is set to be mostly dry and bright with only the odd shower. However, the afternoon will become showery as rain builds in the west and southwest before covering all areas eastwards. Highest temperatures are expected to register at between 4C and 8C.

By Sunday evening, clear spells will develop in the north and west, though another rainy spell will follow into Munster and south Leinster. Lowest temperatures of 5C to 9C.

Rain is forecast to extend northwards on Monday morning, with possible strong winds in parts. Brighter spells will follow from the southwest in the afternoon with temperatures of 7C to 11C.

Rain is expected in Galway this week

Rain is expected in Galway this week

Met Éireann Weather Warnings Explained

Tuesday is looking wettest in Atlantic counties while other areas experience drier conditions with temperatures of between 7C and 11C.

By Wednesday, a further mix of sun and rain is forecast in the morning as cloud builds over the afternoon and arrives over Munster in the evening. Highest temperatures of 8C to 11C.

Met Éireann’s extended-range forecast indicates that low pressure will be “dominant” next week, bringing with it unsettled, rainy weather.

It said: “Atlantic fronts will spread across the country from the southwest with frequent spells of rain and showers. Rainfall amounts will be above average nationwide as a result.”