Crushing Ireland weather update from Met Eireann as storm passes but more dismal conditions loom
Ireland was hit by Storm Ashley on Sunday, bringing powerful winds, rain and flooding. Although the storm has now passed, Met Eireann has warned of continued unsettled weather this week, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures expected by the weekend.
by Anita McSorley · Irish MirrorIreland was battered by Storm Ashley on Sunday, bringing a powerful triple threat of howling winds, torrential rain and widespread flooding to many counties.
The storm triggered a Status Orange wind warning - the second-highest level - for several western regions, including Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, while the rest of the country remained under less severe, but still significant, Status Yellow alerts.
As the first named storm of the season, Storm Ashley packed a punch with gusts exceeding 100 km/h in some areas, while colossal waves reached over 64 feet in the west. The storm also knocked out power in several homes and businesses.
Despite hopes for a break in the harsh conditions, Met Eireann has issued a crushing weather update. The national forecaster has warned that while the early part of the week will be somewhat stable, the weather will become increasingly unsettled heading into the weekend.
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Over the next few days, Ireland will experience a mix of patchy rain and drizzle, which is expected to intensify by Thursday, with heavy and possibly thundery downpours. Breezy conditions will also persist, along with mist and fog during the mornings. And while mild temperatures are expected early this week, cooler weather will return by the weekend.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann said: "Dry in most parts to begin today, Monday, with sunny spells and just a few showers. It'll turn cloudier from the west this afternoon, with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards. Highest temperatures of 12C to 15C in moderate to fresh southwest winds, increasing strong and gusty near western and northwestern coasts at times from afternoon. Rather cloudy for a time Monday night with outbreaks of rain continuing to spread eastwards over the country, with the chance of a few heavy bursts across southern counties. Clear spells and a few showers will extend from the west overnight. Lowest temperature of 5C to 9C with winds decreasing light to moderate southwest or variable. Some mist and fog patches may form towards dawn.
"Any mist and fog patches will clear during Tuesday morning to sunny spells and just well-scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 12C to 15C in mainly light southwest or variable breezes, increasing moderate to fresh near west and northwest coasts towards evening. Tuesday night will be generally dry for many with clear spells and just isolated showers at first. Cloud will thicken overnight with patchy rain and drizzle developing in Atlantic coastal counties. There'll be some hill and coastal mist too. Lows of 6C to 10C in mostly light to moderate southerly winds, fresher near western and northwestern coasts.
"Mostly cloudy on Wednesday with patchy rain and drizzle, although some limited bright or sunny intervals will also occur. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C in freshening southerly winds. Continuing mostly cloudy on Wednesday night with patchy rain and drizzle. Rather breezy too with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds. Mild, with lowest temperatures of 10C to 12C.
"Outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain will gradually spread from the Atlantic on Thursday, with some spot flooding possible. While the timing is uncertain at present, a clearance to scattered showers will start to extend from the west later in the day. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds, veering westerly and easing. Showers or longer spells of rain on Thursday night, some heavy and possibly thundery. Lowest temperatures of 6C to 9C . Light to moderate southwest winds, will veer west to northwest overnight and increase fresh to strong and gusty near western and northwestern coasts.
"Current indications for Friday suggest it will be breezy with sunshine and showers, some possibly heavy and prolonged, especially in the west and north. Cooler than recent days, with highs of 10C to 13C in blustery northwest winds, easing later.
"There is lower than average confidence in the forecast detail for next weekend but current indications suggest fairly mixed conditions overall."
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