Ireland thunderstorm tracker as weather warning issued with 'mini heatwave' soon to collapse

Traffic driving through heavy rain on a motorway in January 2024 (file photo)

Ireland is set for a dramatic weather change as the ‘mini-heatwave’ we have been enjoying collapses with heavy showers and thunderstorms on the way.

The country saw the warmest day of the year so far on Friday, with 24.2C recorded in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Today will see highs of up to 23C and good spells of sunshine – but soon parts of Ireland will be zapped by lightning.

An early weather warning has been issued for Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry on Sunday by the UK’s Met Office, with Met Eireann also stating that “heavy and thundery showers” are likely tomorrow. It has named the thunderstorm ‘hotspots’ as areas in the east and north east.

Monday will also see “widespread rain, heavy at times” with daytime temperatures set to drop back to just 11C.

Giving an update on next week’s weather, the national forecaster said: “We will see a significant change on our recent weather with high pressure continuing to decline eastwards with unsettled conditions dominating. Low pressure centred close to the country will lead to rain and showers over the country with a mostly easterly or variable airflow. Above average rainfall amounts are expected throughout the country, especially in the north and east where temperatures will also be likely to be above average. Closer to normal temperatures are expected elsewhere. The main hazards will be rainfall accumulations with possible rainfall warnings required. There is also the chance of thunderstorms.”

You can track exactly where and when thunderstorms will hit next by using Windy’s interactive lightning tracker map below.

Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann said: “Any lingering mist or fog will soon clear to leave another warm and mostly sunny day on Saturday with just light mainly southeast breezes. However sunshine will turn a little hazier or even cloudier in parts later. Top temperatures of 18C to 23C, warmest away from southern counties. Becoming a little cloudier later in Saturday evening with one or two isolated showers but most areas will stay dry. Some mist and fog patches overnight with lowest temperatures of 10C to 13C.

“Rather cloudy to begin Sunday with isolated showers. The showers will become a little more persistent during the afternoon and evening and will turn heavy and possibly thundery in the east and northeast. Highest temperatures of 16C to 20C with light winds. Rather cloudy and unsettled Sunday night with outbreaks of rain and showers at times. Winds will stay generally light and some mist and fog patches will form under any clear spells overnight. Lowest temperatures of 9C to 11C.

“An unsettled and wet start for Monday with widespread rain and showers, heavy at times too. Winds will remain light but temperatures will fall back from recent highs at just 11C to 15C. Wet and overcast from early in the evening Monday but later in the night some clear spells will develop across western counties as light winds become a more moderate northwesterly. Lowest temperatures of 7C to 9C.

“A fresh and perhaps rather cool day Tuesday with a northwesterly breeze bringing a mix of scattered cloud and isolated showers. There will be some sunny spells in the south and east especially with highs struggling a little at just 12C to 15C.

“Current model indications would suggest another unsettled day Wednesday with the northwesterly breeze ushering in a scattering of showers and cloud with limited sunny spells. Highest temperatures likely to remain around the mid teens.”

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