Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning today for five counties, with heavy rain expected to hit the east of the country until Wednesday morning.

The official warning is in place for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow and Meath. Motorists have also been urged to take extra care on roads this morning as a result of the wet weather.

Forecaster Pat Clarke said: "The next 24 hours will be the coldest and the wettest."

Cold & shwry today. Some longer spells of heavy rain in E at times with some hail/thunder & local spot flooding. The best of the drier weather will be in SW. Highs 5 to 8, but a little higher in some coastal areas. Light/mod E to SE winds will be fresh at times on exposed coasts pic.twitter.com/J6Xl5IGvZe

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 21, 2018

Clarke continued; "Obviously drivers will have to be careful. There could be some water on the roads and there is the possibility of hail."

A wind-chill factor around coastal areas will contribute to the frosty feel of the weather, with temperatures expected to fall to five degrees.

"There is the possibility of downpours and there may be some thunder mixed in," Mr Clarke said. Dublin Fire Brigade have also issued a road warning:

Wet roads are slippy! Braking distances increase in the wet. Leave increased space between you and the vehicle in front of you, be careful of road spray too. pic.twitter.com/wEOU4A5ANg

— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) November 20, 2018

Unusually, the current inclement conditions have predominantly hit the east coast, Met Éireann says.

The weekend is expected to be far less damp, on Thursday the temperature will rise to 8 degrees and fewer showers will occur.

In terms of traffic, AA Roadwatch has urged motorists to slow down as roads across the country are very slippery this morning:

"Roads are damp or wet in much of the country this morning following overnight rain. It's particularly wet in parts of the midlands and along the east coast."

"When driving on wet roads slow down and leave a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front."

West Munster is getting the best of the weather at the moment, but tonight will be cold with further rain and hail showers scattered nationwide.