Ireland is braced for a barrage of stormy weather over the coming days, with torrential rain and brutal gusts forecast by Met Eireann.
Wind and rain are due to be swept into the country thanks to the jet stream, which is being powered up by unusually hot weather across Europe.
Yesterday saw the warmest January day on record for a number of European countries, including Poland where thermometers hit 19C.
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Much of the continent is currently engulfed by an unusual blast of heat sweeping up from Africa.
Meteorologists say the warm air is set to fire up the jet stream over the Atlantic, and in turn pull low pressure systems towards Ireland, Express reports.
Giving its overall forecast for this week, Met Eireann said: “An Atlantic regime will feed in weather fronts over Ireland bringing spells of rain at times and relatively mild conditions. There will be strong winds at times too. It will turn out wetter than normal with just above average rainfall in many areas, but around twice the norm near parts of the west coast.”
A Status Yellow Rain weather warning has been issued for Co Kerry, which is in place for 24 hours from 8pm tonight.
The alert reads: “Spells of heavy rain leading to spot flooding.”
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what weather Ireland can expect, the national forecaster said: “Chilly today with patches of ice and fog lingering in some areas. Other than a few stray showers near northwest coasts, it will be dry for daylight hours with spells of low winter sunshine. Highest temperatures of 1C to 7C degrees (north to south), in mostly light variable breezes. Southerly winds will freshen this evening as rain begins to move up from the southwest.
“Blustery spells of rain will push up from the southwest overnight but with some drier interludes at times later too. Lowest temperatures of -1C to 4C, coldest early on across the north and east with some possible frost and ice for a time. South to southeast winds will be fresh to strong and gusty, veering southwesterly towards morning.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Met Eireann continued: “Wet and rather windy on Tuesday with spells of heavy rain, especially early on and again later in the day, bringing the potential for spot flooding. Highest temperatures of 10C to 13C, in fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds.
“Windy with showery outbreaks of rain on Tuesday night, mixed with clear spells. Becoming drier in the west by morning as winds begin to moderate there. Lowest temperatures of 7C to 10C in fresh to strong and gusty westerly wind, moderating later.”
Its forecast for the rest of the week reads: “Sunny spells and scattered outbreaks of rain on Wednesday, remaining breezy and mild too with moderate to occasionally fresh westerly winds and highest temperatures of 9C to 13C.
“A wet day for most on Thursday as rain becomes widespread and occasionally heavy. Highest temperatures ranging from 7C to 11C with light southerly winds freshening from the southwest during the afternoon.
“Fog will be slow to clear on Friday, but as southerly winds increase moderate, cloud will increase also with rain and drizzle pushing in from the west during the afternoon becoming widespread by evening. Highest temperatures of 6C to 10C.
“The weekend will be a little cooler with frequent blustery showers feeding in from the west.”
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