A yellow weather warning for isolated storms and hail is in effect from 9am on Monday to 5pm, the met office said.

Rainfall is expected to range between 35 and 50 millimetres per hour.

Temperatures will rise to around 16C inland and on the coast and to 8C in the higher mountains.

On Monday night, the weather will be partly cloudy, while isolated rain is possible, mainly on the coasts.

Christmas Eve will also see cloudy weather with a chance of isolated rain in the west and north, but cloud cover will gradually grow bringing isolated storms with possible hail.

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the weather will be mainly cloudy with isolated rain at intervals with possible hail in some areas and with sleet and snow in the mountains.

Temperatures will rise slightly on Tuesday, then gradually drop to hover close to the average for the time of year.