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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
The ancient Irish weather omen that could bring 40 days of rain starting today
After enjoying glorious sunshine over the weekend, many people across Ireland may be feeling a little gloomy when looking out of their window on what is proving to be a very rainy Tuesday. A disruptive mix of thunderstorms, torrential downpours and strong winds are expected today with Met Eireann warning that it will "remain changeable and rather unsettled" for the rest of this week. For those superstitious of nature, rainfall on July 15 - St Swithin's Day - holds a particularly grim meaning when it comes to weather. According to an ancient legend, if it rains on St Swithin's Day, it will continue to rain for the next 40 days. The tale, which dates back to 9th-century England, is rooted in folklore surrounding St Swithin, a bishop whose remains were moved from an outdoor grave to a shrine inside Winchester Cathedral on a rainy July 15. Legend has it that the rain on the day of the move was heaven's protest - and that it would rain for 40 days straight to show its disapproval. This story has sparked the popular proverb: "St Swithin's day if thou dost rain', For forty days it will remain, St Swithin's day if thou be fair, For forty days will rain na mair." The superstition has carried for centuries, even though meteorologists have long debunked any scientific basis behind it. The UK's Met Office said today: "Since records began there has been no occurrence of rainfall for that prolonged period of time". But that hasn't stopped people across Ireland from watching the skies a little more nervously on this particular date. Popular weather account Carlow Weather marked the occasion on social media, prompting a flurry of nostalgic - and slightly anxious - reactions from followers. One person recalled: "Ah, but who can forget the summer of 2007, when, ironically, the song Umbrella by Rhianna was number 1 in Ireland for 7 weeks while at the same time we experienced 49 consecutive days of rain. Nothing to do with St Swithin's Day mind you, it just always sticks out in my memory." Another wrote: "I'm sure this happened about 10 or 15 years ago. It rained for 40 days straight after raining on St Swithin's Day." A third added: "Yes the weather will be changeable for the next 40 days its raining here." Others kept it simple, with one commenter writing: "I hope this is not true." And perhaps summing up the national mood, someone else simply posted: "That's us done." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Times
St Swithin's Day: It's raining today - will it rain for the next 40 days?
St Swithin's Day will be cool and wet which does not auger well for the rest of the summer, according to the old proverb. On July 15th, which is the feast day for the saint, 'if thou dost rain for forty days it will remain. St Swithin's day if thou be fair, for forty days 'twill rain nae mair'. Low pressure systems, which remained away last week during the hot weather, are now in charge and it will feel much fresher this week. It will be generally cloudy and a wet start with outbreaks of rain and a few thundery downpours possible. There will be a wet start everywhere, but it will dry up later in the day. The pattern remains the same for the rest of the week. Met Éireann's forecast only extends to five days not 40. Wednesday will be wet across southern and southwestern areas, but dry elsewhere. Thursday will be cloudy and damp, but also muggy. The unsettled weather will extend into the weekend with Friday and Saturday having a mixture of rain and scattered showers. Sunday looks like being the brightest day in the current spell.
