Full list of weather warnings below

Unsettled conditions will continue into Friday, as further heavy rain is forecast and flooding remains a concern in several regions.

The national forecaster has expanded its alerts to more areas this morning, with weather warnings now in place for 13 countries through tonight and into tomorrow.

Initially, the Status Orange rain warning included Wicklow and Waterford; it has since been upgraded to include Dublin and Louth.

Cavan and Meath have also been added to a Status Yellow rain warning, along with Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Tipperary and Monaghan.

The warnings come as further rain is forecast to fall on already saturated ground, heightening the risk of localised flooding. With conditions expected to deteriorate, parents are growing increasingly anxious, and questions are being raised over the possibility of school closures on Friday.

The Department of Education and Youth has responded to the concerns by offering guidance and support, while stressing that the final decision on closures rests with individual school management. Schools have been advised to closely monitor conditions and, where there is any doubt, to "err on the side of caution," per the Irish Mirror.

It follows a work-from-home plea issued by the National Emergency Co-ordination Group.

In a statement issued to the Irish Mirror on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the department said: "The department will monitor the situation as it progresses and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group.

"The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) is the Government's forum for coordinating the response to an emergency, including a severe weather alert. The NECG comprises all government departments, including the Department of Education and Youth, all principal response agencies (PRAs), and certain other bodies. This department engages regularly with the NECG in regard to preparedness for severe weather events.

"The department, in turn, engages with schools and their management bodies regarding advice during and after such weather events, including:

"1. All schools should keep up to date with the current weather warnings, which are carried on all national and local news bulletins, and particularly any change in the status warning for their area.

"2. The decision to close a school rests with the school management authority, taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies.

"3. In all events, and if in any doubt, schools should err on the side of caution. Schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgment, in the interests of the safety of the school community, it is prudent to do so.

"4. Primary and post-primary schools in areas affected by a weather warning should remain vigilant and keep themselves apprised of any hourly and other updates from Met Éireann, and from their local authorities, local radio, and the principal response agencies.

"5. The 'Be Winter Ready' website includes advice for schools on dealing with issues related to weather conditions, including colour-coded warnings, health and safety and direct links to relevant circulars.

"6. The department will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group. "

In some good news, Met Éireann has said: "After the wet conditions on Thursday and Friday, there will be some respite over the weekend. While there will be showers, there will be longer dry periods. This will allow some recovery in the river network."

Explaining the possible flood danger on Friday, it added: "Thursday and Friday, a spell of rain will affect the country, heaviest in the southeast and east. It will also be blustery, with strong easterly winds and gales on eastern coasts.

"This comes after a week of persistent rain, with many rivers at or above bank-full conditions and saturated or waterlogged soils nationwide. As a result, the rainfall expected on Thursday and Friday will likely trigger further flooding.

"In addition, high spring tides combined with strong onshore winds and storm surge will increase the risk of wave over-topping and coastal flooding on Thursday, while also restricting river discharge.

"Yellow rain warnings are in effect Thursday and Friday for counties in the east, south and parts of the midlands, with orange rain warnings in effect Thursday and Friday for Waterford, Wicklow, Dublin and Louth."

Ireland weather warnings timeline

9 am Thursday to 9 am Friday - Status Orange rain warning for Waterford

9 am Thursday to 9 pm Friday - Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford and Tipperary

12 pm Thursday to 3 pm Friday - Status Orange rain warning for Dublin and Wicklow

12 pm Thursday to 6 pm Friday - Status Orange rain warning for Louth

12 pm Thursday to 6 pm Friday - Status Yellow rain warning for Cavan, Monaghan and Meath