Ireland weather: Thunderstorm risk for two areas as Met Eireann forecast major change

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

Ireland can expect rollercoaster weather over the coming days, before a major change next week.

Temperatures are expected to reach a mild 16C in parts of the country today but will plummet as low as 2C after dark before the week is out.

Met Eireann says the weather pattern will change over the weekend, with cooler temperatures, a mix of sunshine and showers and occasional windy conditions.

But next week, high pressure looks set to build from the Atlantic, bringing milder air once again alongside below-average rainfall.

In the meantime, thunder and hail could hit areas in the west and north this weekend.

The national forecaster said: “Mostly cloudy and misty to begin Friday, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly in the west and northwest. Some bright or sunny intervals will develop by this afternoon mainly across the midlands and east. The rain and drizzle will edge slowly eastwards this evening, with a clearance developing in the west and northwest. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C, warmest in the east, with moderate to fresh south to southwest winds.

“Patchy rain and drizzle Friday night, along with mist and hill and coastal fog, will clear southeastwards tonight, with clearer skies following. A few showers will move into western coastal counties from the Atlantic towards dawn. Lows of 6C to 10C. Light to moderate southerly winds will increase moderate to fresh southwest by dawn, locally strong near western and northwestern coasts.

“Bright and breezy Saturday, with a mix of sunshine and scattered blustery showers, after a mostly cloudy start. Some of the showers could be heavy in the north and west early on but they’ll become isolated by late afternoon with long spells of sunshine developing. Afternoon highs will range 8C to 15C, coldest in the northwest. Moderate to fresh southwest winds will veer occasionally strong and gusty westerly by the afternoon.

“Showers becoming isolated Saturday night and confined to western and northwestern parts, with long clear spells developing elsewhere. Chillier than of late with lowest temperatures of 2C to 6C in mostly light to moderate southwest breezes, the winds freshening a little along the west coast by dawn.

“After a mostly dry and bright start for many on Sunday, cloud and outbreaks of rain will sweep eastwards over the country, followed by widespread blustery showers. Some of the showers will be heavy with a chance of hail and thunder, especially in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C in moderate to fresh and gusty southwest winds, strong along Atlantic coasts.

“Showers will continue through Sunday night, merging to longer spells of rain at times, especially in the west and northwest. Some heavy falls can be expected with hail and thunder possible. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 6C in moderate to fresh and gusty southwest to west winds, increasing strong to near gale on coasts.”

Looking ahead to next week, Ireland’s meteorological service said: “Winds will continue to ease through midweek but a northerly airflow will persist so temperatures will only slowly recover. Showers will likely become increasingly isolated towards the end of the week as high pressure looks set to build from the Atlantic

“Rainfall amounts will be below average. Low pressure to the north of Ireland and high pressure to the south will mean that most rainfall will be further north. Mean temperatures will be around average for early to mid-April.”

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