**Image showing the poor conditions on the M7 this afternoon - Image taken from the Passenger seat by Damien O'Dwyer**

Ireland today again is seen some very poor weather conditions across many parts of the country with heavy showers of rain and hail.

This morning rain has cleared to the east over the later stages of this morning and early afternoon with bright and sunny spells following for a time ahead of thunderstorms developing across parts of the country.

With a cold air aloft overspreading SSTs and diurnal heating inland this has lead to the development of thunderstorms today across Ireland with Munster and south Connacht seen very active thunderstorm already. One area in particular Limerick has seen some very poor conditions with heavy hail leading to a end of May white out on the M7.

The M7 is now closed in both directions between J28 Castletroy and J26 Nenagh West as emergency services deal with multiple collisions on both sides. Treacherous road conditions have been reported on this stretch following hail showers.

The image below attached shows the thunderstorm that caused the white out conditions on the motorway

WEATHER WARNINGS

Donegal Weather Channel issued a early Status yellow thunderstorm warning for the whole country on Saturday night warning of such conditions today and remain in places until 8pm this evening. Met Eireenn this afternoon also issued thunderstorm warnings just as Limerick was hit with the thunderstorms.