Ireland is set to see a wet and thundery start to the week as an Orange Thunderstorm warning for the entire country remains in place until 9am.
Met Eireann has also extended the warning until 10pm today for ten counties.
A forecaster said: “Latest forecast of rainfall shows how thunderstorms are expected to develop this evening and then again tomorrow in South and Southeast. Orange thunderstorm warning for entire country now up to 9am tomorrow but continues in Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster to 10pm Mon.”
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Due to the thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, affected areas will be at risk of flash flooding.
The forecaster added: “The thunderstorms will be hit and miss so some areas could see flash floods while others stay dry. If you are in an area prone to flash floods then be aware. Ground is also very hard so quick heavy rainfall will run off land.”
However, things may be looking up for the end of August as one expert predicted a possible date for the return of summer sunshine.
They said: “Weather models show a chance, just a chance, of warm settled weather returning around the 21st. Wait and see for now, but could this summer have one last blast?”
In the meantime, here is a more detailed look at Met Eireann’s forecast.
Today, August 15
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will affect many areas this morning, becoming mainly confined to southern and eastern parts by afternoon and becoming intense through the afternoon with the continued risk of flooding.
Fresher and drier further north with just isolated showers and intermittent sunny spells.
Highest temperatures will return closer to average, ranging from 15 to 17 degrees in the north and west and between 18 and 23 degrees elsewhere. Light to moderate northerly winds will increase fresh to strong along Atlantic coasts.
Showers will gradually die out in the south to leave a mainly dry night with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, remaining warmest near the east coast. Moderate northerly breezes will be fresh at times near northward-facing coasts.
Tuesday, August 16
Cooler and quite cloudy with scattered light showers, though many areas will have a dry day. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees, mildest in the south. Breezy at times with moderate to fresh northerly breezes.
Showers will die out early in the night, leaving a dry night with a mix of cloud and clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees in light to moderate northerly breezes.
Wednesday, August 17
A largely dry day with a mix of cloud and sunny spells in the morning and more widespread hazy sunshine developing in the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees, warmest along the south coast in mostly light northwesterly breezes.
Clear spells early in the night for eastern parts. However, the rain will move in from the west overnight.
Lowest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees, mildest in the west, as light westerly breezes back southerly through the night.
Thursday, August 18
A band of rain, which may turn heavy at times, will cross the country through the day. It will be followed by scattered showers through the evening, clearing to more widespread sunny spells in the west.
Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees with moderate southerly breezes veering westerly through the afternoon.
Clear spells becoming scattered showers later in the night. Mild with temperatures generally not falling below 10 to 13 degrees, with light to moderate westerly winds.
Friday, August 19
Scattered showers gradually lessen through the day as a band of rain looks to approach western coasts later in the day. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees, with moderate southwesterly breezes turning fresh to strong on coasts.
Current indications suggest that the weekend will be changeable with occasional rain or showers.
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