4 days ago
St Swithin's Day poem predicts 40 days of rain
While last week saw highs of up to 30C, this week has seen a change in the weather with thundery downpours forecast for Tuesday — a potential indication of what is to come, if the old saying can be trusted.
St Swithin's Day takes place annually on July 15, with a traditional rhyme for the day forecasting that the weather on the day will continue for the next 40 days and 40 nights.
Swithin was the Bishop of Winchester, and according to legend there was a huge storm following his death, and it rained for a number of weeks after. While last week saw highs of up to 30C, this week has seen a change in the weather with thundery downpours forecast for Tuesday — a potential indication of what is to come, if the old saying can be trusted. Pic: Shutterstock
The old legend says that if it rains on St Swithins Day it will rain for the 40 days after; if it is dry on the day it will be dry for the 40 days following.
The St Swithin's Day poem is:
'St Swithin's Day, if it does rain The old legend says that if it rains on St Swithins Day it will rain for the 40 days after; if it is dry on the day it will be dry for the 40 days following. Pic: Granger/Shutterstock
'Full forty days, it will remain
'St Swithin's Day, if it be fair
'For forty days, t'will rain no more.' While the saying predicts the same weather for 40 days, it has never materialised with RTÉ reporting that the closest to 40 days of rain that has ever happened was in 1924 when 30 of the 40 days after St Swithin's day were wet. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
While the saying predicts the same weather for 40 days, it has never materialised with RTÉ reporting that the closest to 40 days of rain that has ever happened was in 1924 when 30 of the 40 days after St Swithin's day were wet.
That said, there was almost 14 hours of sunshine on the day itself.
Indeed, rain is on the cards for Tuesday and so many will be wondering if its a terrible sign of what's to come.
Met Éireann have issued the weekly forecast, with plenty of rain and clouds throughout the week. They've only shared the forecast for the next five days
Looking towards the Extended Weather Forecast, the forecaster has said there is a 'fair amount of uncertainty' surrounding next week but has forecast rainfall amounts to be down compared to this week.
