Ireland weather models alarm as 'monster' Monday storm looms

Dublin Live

2 days ago

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Ireland has been experiencing unsettled weather in recent days, with gusty winds, persistent rain and sporadic thunderstorms affecting many parts of the country.
However, forecasters have warned that the worst may be yet to come. Weather maps show Ireland is in the firing line for a colossal storm system, set to unleash torrential rain and gale-force winds that could batter the island from coast to coast.
And the timing couldn't be more inconvenient as this monster storm is set to make landfall on bank holiday Monday. Weather models from WXCharts paint a stark picture, showing the Atlantic system approaching the west coast around 3pm on Monday, before sweeping steadily eastwards, soaking the entire country in its wake.
Met Eireann has provided an outlook for Monday that confirms this developing threat. It said: "Mainly dry through Monday morning and most of the afternoon with sunny spells at times. It will become increasingly cloudy towards into the afternoon as rain moves in western regions, spreading eastwards into the evening. Rain will be heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 14C to 17C in strong southwesterly winds, reaching gale force strength along western coasts."
This latest update signals that, as well as rain, the upcoming bank holiday storm is poised to bring powerful southwesterly winds, reaching gale-force gusts at times. The combination of heavy rain and strong winds raise concerns about potential flooding, travel disruption and infrastructure damage.
Looking beyond Monday, the national forecaster has cautioned that changeable and unsettled weather is expected to continue for the remainder of next week. It said: "Next week is indicated to be generally unsettled with low pressure dominating and with rain or showers most days, feeding in on a mostly westerly airflow. However, there could still be some dry and bright intervals. Temperatures will generally be cooler than normal. Wind and rainfall accumulations will need to be monitored for the potential of warnings."
However, it's not all bad news as early June could bring a return of mini-heatwave conditions as high pressure builds once again, leading to drier and warmer conditions for up to two weeks. The forecast for June 9 to June 15 reads: "A much more settled picture is indicated as high pressure to the south builds, keeping low pressure systems further north. Temperatures will likely be around or slightly above normal. Much of the country will be drier than normal though there is the potential for above average amounts in the north, most likely from early in the week."
For the following week of June 16 to June 22, Met Eireann added: "For this week, settled conditions are likely to persist bringing drier and warmer conditions across the country as high pressure dominates. With the slack airflow, some fog will likely develop during the nights." But before that welcome change arrives, Ireland must endure a damp and blustery bank holiday weekend.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, the national forecaster said: "A band of rain will track eastwards across the country Saturday morning and early afternoon, before clearing out into the Irish Sea. A mix of sunny spells and scattered showers will follow from the west, with the possibility of a few heavy ones, mainly in the north and northwest. Towards nightfall, it'll become cloudier in parts of the west and northwest, with a band of showery rain starting to move in. Highest temperatures of 15C to 18C generally, though possibly up to 20C in the east, in moderate to fresh and gusty southwest winds, strong at times in western areas, especially in the morning and again later in the day.
"A mix of cloud, sunny spells and scattered showers on Sunday, some heavy in the north. Showers will become more isolated as they more eastwards. Highest temperature of 14C to 17C or 18C with the highest in the east in fresh and gusty northwesterly winds.
"Mainly dry through Monday morning and most of the afternoon with sunny spells at times. It will become increasingly cloudy towards into the afternoon as rain moves in western regions, spreading eastwards into the evening. Rain will be heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 14C to 17C in strong southwesterly winds, reaching gale force strength along western coasts."
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