WEATHER bosses confirmed that wet and “persistent” rain is hitting Ireland this week – but pinpointed when a major switch sets in.
Today is starting out with heavy and “noisy” rainfall, particularly in the east of the country.
However, weather experts said this won’t be here to stay, with a shift in conditions due to arrive as the morning moves on.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather said: “That was a noisy night and still pretty rough in the Eastern half of country with heavy rain and wind.
“It will clear later this morning with sunny spells and scattered showers moving in from West.”
And Met Eireann confirmed that better weather will soon arrive on Irish shores.
Met Eireann’s Gerry Murphy said: “It’s a wet morning across much of Ireland with persistent rain, however this rain will gradually clear to the south east by noon.
“Sunshine and showers will follow for the rest of the day, some of them heavy with hail possible especially in parts of the west and north. Highest temperatures today of 7C to 10C.”
Tonight is looking to again see those clear spells continue as showers begin to completely die out, but it will bring along a major drop in temperatures.
Met Eireann has also issued a warning that ice and frost may develop in some areas overnight.
Gerry said: “Tonight will become mainly dry with long clear spells as the showers die out early in the night and become isolated with just a few along the Atlantic coast.
“Lowest temperatures tonight of -1C to 3C with some frost and ice forming.”
The rest of the week will then see high pressure dominating, bringing dry, clear conditions but that drop in overnight temperatures will remain persistent.
He said: “From tomorrow onwards through the rest of the week and the weekend, the weather over Ireland is going to be mainly dry as high pressure dominates the weather over Ireland but it will become colder with frost at night.”
Wednesday will be mainly dry with only a few light showers hitting the west and north west, mainly impacting coastal areas.
“For tomorrow Wednesday itself it will be a mainly dry day with good spells of sunshine and just a few light showers near west and north west coasts. Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C.
ICE & FROST RETURN
“Tomorrow night is going to be dry with clear spells but temperatures will fall to between -2C and 2C with frost and icy patches.”
Thursday will see another similar day, with higher daytime temperatures before ice and frost return with colder conditions overnight.
Gerry said: “Thursday will be largely dry with sunny spells though it may be a bit cloudier in the south west for a time.
“Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C and then at night cold with frost developing as temperatures fall to between -2C and 2C.”
Next weekend will again see mostly dry weather, this time with some more cloud and a further drop in overnight temperatures.
Gerry said: “Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be largely dry with sunny spells but perhaps a bit more cloud over the weekend.
The nights will be cold with temperatures between -3C and 2C with some frost.”
