The met office has issued an alert, warning of heavy thunderstorms with rain and the possibility of hail for Friday.

The yellow alert is in force from 11 am to 5.30 pm.

“Isolated heavy thunderstorms may affect mountainous and inland areas. Shower rates will range between 35 and 50 millimetres per hour while hail is likely,” it said.

Meanwhile, in its forecast the met office said Friday will be mainly fine but clouds that develop at midday and in the afternoon are expected to lead to local showers and isolated thunderstorms in the mountains and inland. Hail is possible.

Temperatures will rise to 38C inland, around 34C on the west coasts, around 36C on the remaining coasts and around 29 C in the higher mountains. Saturday will be mainly fine with increased cloud in the mountains at midday and in the afternoons which may lead to isolated showers.

Sunday and Monday will be mainly fine.

Temperatures will edge up on Saturday, mainly inland and in the mountains to above the seasonal average, remaining at the same levels on Sunday and Monday.