
Parts of Northern Ireland saw almost full month's worth of rain in 24 hours
The deluge resulted in localised flooding across parts of the island following a series of weather alerts on Sunday, with the unseasonably high rainfall dampening the start of the week.
The weather also brought difficult travelling conditions, lightning damage and poor visibility in the worst-affected areas.
The Met Office issued a yellow-level rain warning for the east coast of Northern Ireland that is due to expire at 6pm.
Forecasters had warned that some areas could see half a month's worth of rain in less than a day.
The region normally records an average of 89mm of rain in July but falls of between 50-75mm had been predicted over a period of just 12 to 18 hours.
Killowen in Co Down recorded 68mm of rain since 5pm on Sunday, the Met Office said around 2pm on Monday – the highest amount of rainfall across the UK.
It normally sees 80.75mm of rain for the whole month.
Elsewhere, Murlough in Co Down saw 60mm of rain in the same period – 87% of its July average of 69mm.
The Met Office said other areas likely experienced higher amounts.
Meanwhile, the heavy rain brought flooding at the Marble Arch Caves, a famous tourist attraction in Co Fermanagh.
A spokesperson said it had never happened before, describing the occurrence as a 'highly unusual weather event'.
A couple who were part of an evacuation prompted by a rush of water said they would not be put off returning.
The agency had put a 24-hour yellow-level rain warning in place for Antrim, Armagh and Down until 6pm on Monday.
A more intense amber-level warning was temporarily put in place overnight but lifted early.
Forecasters had warned that there was a risk that homes and businesses could be flooded.
The Met Office also cautioned that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads while fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life.
Northern Ireland saw heavy rain in the last 24 hours, with 68mm recorded at Killowen – and likely higher amounts elsewhere.
The southeast also picked up some fairly large totals this morning 🌧️
Here are the rainfall totals since 5pm yesterday 👇 pic.twitter.com/LyC7gpSJsW
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 21, 2025
A yellow-level thunderstorm warning was in place for the western half of Northern Ireland between midday and 8pm on Sunday.
Flooding affected routes in Fermanagh with the Marble Arch Road, Florencecourt, and Sligo Road, Enniskillen, both described as impassable by police for a time.
A PSNI spokeswoman said: 'Please take care when travelling, slow down, and exercise caution on affected roads.'
In the Republic of Ireland, a status orange rain warning for Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow came into effect from midnight and expired at 2pm on Monday.
Irish national forecasting agency Met Eireann said there was a chance of thunderstorms amid persistent and heavy rain.
A less severe warning for the Kildare region also expired at 2pm.
The downpours across Sunday and Monday brought localised flooding to parts of Limerick and Louth.
The warnings followed other alerts about thunderstorms in the east of the country and increased rain in the south-west on Sunday.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
When will the heatwave return in Scotland after days of downpours?
Scots will be hoping the elements settle from hereon in so we can enjoy the rest of our summer in peace Scotland is still reeling from torrential downpours over the weekend. Roads were left underwater, bus services were forced to divert, and parts of the rail network shut down as a result of three yellow weather warnings in a row. For three days straight, much of the country saw huge volumes of rainfall in a short amount of time. Fifteen areas got put under flood alert as a result of the deluge, while thunder and lightning posed a danger to life. The last warning was lifted at 6am today, Tuesday, July 22, and it is hoped the elements will be more settled going forward. After all, we are in the height of summer, and it would be nice for the Scottish weather to reflect that. So, after the downpours, is there a chance of a heatwave returning to Scotland? Aidan McGivern, Met Office meteorologist, has categorically ruled out a heatwave. But only for this week. Looking ahead, WXCharts, a weather forecast model that uses MetDesk data, has set out August 1 as the date Scots should keep an eye on if they're hoping to ditch the umbrella for a sun hat, and the raincoat for some sun cream. On this date, the max temperature will hit 23C at around 6pm. The next day, highs of 20C are predicted for around 12pm, while on Sunday, the thermometer is due to ping at a high 18C, again at around tea time. However, although August 1 will be toasty, there is certain criteria the Scottish weather needs to meet to tip us into heatwave territory. And it doesn't quite look that we will meet it just yet. In the UK, a heatwave officially takes place when a location records at least three days in a row with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. This threshold varies across the UK. For instance, if Dundee records 25 degrees over three consecutive days, that would be classed as a heatwave. As the first weekend in August doesn't stay steady at 23C - instead dipping down to 20C and 18C - it appears unlikely to happen. The Met Office's long range forecast for July 27 until August 5 says the best chance we have of seeing the sun is if we're in the south and east. The southwest may have a look in, too, but only if high pressure builds into that area. Other than that, the outlook isn't all that convincing, either. "A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first," the Met Office statement reads. "While showers or longer spells of rain will remain possible for all parts early in the period, the focus of wet weather will likely increasingly be focussed across the west and northwest, especially over hills where rain could be prolonged. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period, if high pressure builds into the southwest, settled weather may develop there, too. "It will be breezy at times, especially further north. "Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year."


Sky News
13 hours ago
- Sky News
Possible tornado spotted in Yorkshire
Footage has shown a possible tornado forming in Yorkshire. The video on social media showed the phenomenon above Marsden, near Huddersfield, on Monday morning. The Met Office said it could be a tornado or funnel cloud. A funnel cloud, or "tuba", is made up of a spinning vortex of cloud that reaches towards the ground. It only becomes a tornado when it makes contact with the ground. "We've seen a few videos like this over recent days," the Met Office said in a post on X. "When you think of tornadoes, you might imagine the massive twisters tearing through the central US. "But did you know that the UK has one of the highest numbers of tornadoes per land area in the world?" It said the UK typically sees around 30-35 tornadoes each year, though it is "very rare that they are strong enough to cause any significant damage". What is a funnel cloud? The Met Office said funnel clouds are formed when a rotating column of wind draws in cloud droplets, making a region of intense low pressure visible. "They are formed in the same way as a tornado building around this localised area of intensely low pressure and are typically associated with the formation of cumulonimbus thunderclouds," it added. It said they almost always form from cumulonimbus clouds, "meaning that heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning can all be expected". If a funnel cloud reaches the ground and produces a tornado, "very strong winds can be expected in the immediate vicinity of the vortex potentially causing severe damage", the Met Office said.


The Independent
15 hours ago
- The Independent
Moment ‘tornado' swirls over West Yorkshire skies
A "tornado" was filmed swirling through West Yorkshire skies on Monday evening (21 July). Footage posted on social media in Marsden, near Huddersfield, showed a narrow tunnel of clouds stretching up towards the sky. A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that reaches between the base of a storm cloud and the Earth's surface; they form as part of severe thunderstorms. A spokesperson for the Met Office told the Yorkshire Post: 'It certainly looks like it could be a tornado but without seeing it touch the ground it isn't possible to confirm it isn't a funnel cloud. It is only a tornado if it touches the ground.' The Independent has reached out to the Met Office.