Ireland faces a wild week of weather, with Met Eireann warning of suddenly changing conditions and potential storms.
Heavy rain falls on a motorway (file photo)(Image: PA)
Ireland is set for a turbulent week of weather, with Met Eireann warning of torrential rain, strong winds, thunder and hail over the next five days.
In recent days, Ireland has been engulfed in a cold snap with daytime temperatures struggling to reach double digits and overnight lows plunging as low as -5C. Frost, icy patches and even snow have been common sights in many parts of the country.
But the national forecaster has signaled a dramatic shift is on the way, with conditions set to change rapidly. Summing up the next five days, it said: “The weather will continue unsettled with further spells of rain and showers. Turning milder for a time before turning cooler later in the week.”
A huge temperature swing is expected, with lows tonight dropping to 1C, daytime highs soaring to 14C on Thursday, before plunging back down to 6C on Saturday
Thursday, Friday and Saturday have been flagged as potentially stormy, with persistent heavy rain, the possibility of hail and thunder and strong winds.
Met Eireann has also pinpointed Sunday as the ‘likely’ day for another bout of brutal conditions, saying: “Current indications show unsettled conditions persisting with a spell of wet and blustery weather likely on Sunday.”
Giving a day by day breakdown of what to expect, its five day forecast reads: “A cold, dry and bright start Tuesday morning with frost in places. Remaining dry and sunny for most through the day, though it will turn cloudier in the west and southwest later in the afternoon with patches of rain and drizzle developing near western and southwestern coasts this evening. Highest temperatures of 6C to 10C in a light variable breeze.
“A dull day Wednesday with widespread outbreaks of rain and drizzle, which will ease through the morning, giving way to more patchy areas of drizzle and mist. Feeling milder than recent days with highest temperatures of 10C to 13C in moderate to fresh southwest to west winds.
“A more persistent band of rain will move eastwards across the country through Thursday morning and early afternoon, with a mix of sunshine and showers following as it clears. Highest temperatures of 12C to 14C with fresh southwesterly winds.
“Spells of sunshine and widespread showers Friday, which will turn heavy at times with a possibility of hail and thunder. Colder than previous days with highest temperatures of 7C to 10C in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds, becoming stronger on Atlantic coasts.
“Another day of sunshine and showers Saturday, again turning heavy at times with a possibility of hail and thunder. Highest temperatures of 6C to 9C with moderate west to northwest winds.
“Current indications show unsettled conditions persisting with a spell of wet and blustery weather likely on Sunday.”
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