Ireland storm forecast as dramatic weather maps show gigantic wall of rain approaching

Ireland is on storm alert as wet and windy weather is set to sweep the country.

Met Eireann has issued a number of weather warnings with torrential downpours and gusts of 100km/h expected to wreak havoc.

A Status Yellow rainfall warning for Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow is in place from 10am Wednesday until 1pm Thursday. It states: “Spells of heavy rain spreading eastwards will be accompanied by strong and gusty southeasterly winds. Potential impacts include localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.”

A Status Yellow wind warning affecting Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford has been issued from 10am until 9pm Wednesday. It reads: “Very windy for a time this evening and early tonight, especially in coastal districts, with southeast winds gusting up to 100km/h in some areas. Potential impacts include difficult travelling conditions and fallen branches from weakened trees.”

The rain and strong winds will clear from most areas overnight, but another spell looms.

Dramatic weather maps show a gigantic wall of rain approaching Ireland’s west coast. The models suggest that no area will escape the downpours on Thursday.

Rain weather model for Thursday at 6am

Met Eireann’s forecast for Thursday reads: “It will turn wet and quite windy again for a time tomorrow, with spot flooding possible. A band of rain and fresh to strong southeasterly winds will move northeastwards across the country during the morning and afternoon. The rain will be followed by sunny spells, scattered showers and fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest winds. Highest temperatures of 9C to 13C.

Rain weather model for Thursday at 9am

“Showers or longer spells of rain in most areas on Thursday night, heaviest in the west. Breezy with moderate to fresh and gusty south to southwest winds in general but stronger in the west. Lowest temperatures of 5C to 9C.”

Rain weather model for Thursday at 9am

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, the national forecaster said conditions will remain unsettled with more wet and breezy weather at times.

Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, it said: “Wet and breezy on Friday morning and afternoon as showers or longer spells of rain move across the country. The rain will clear eastwards during the afternoon so it will be mostly dry by evening and winds will ease too. Highest temperatures of 8C to 13C, with moderate to fresh and gusty, variable winds, easing light to moderate in the evening.

“Dry with clear spells early on Friday night but rain will move northeast across Munster, Connacht and Leinster overnight. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 9C, coldest in the north, with light to moderate southerly winds.

“Saturday morning will start off wet across the north and east but the rain will clear northeastwards during the early afternoon. Otherwise there’ll be sunny spells and scattered showers, some heavy with a chance of hail. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C with moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds developing.

“Clear spells and scattered showers at first Saturday night but becoming mostly dry for a time as showers become isolated. Cloud will increase later and outbreaks of rain or drizzle will develop in the south and west. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 7C with light to moderate winds, becoming southerly.

“Outbreaks of rain or drizzle are forecast to move northeastwards over the country on Sunday morning and afternoon, clearing to sunny spells and showers. Highest temperatures of 7C to 12C with moderate south to southwest winds.”

The meteorological agency said early next week will “stay unsettled as low pressure dominates”.

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