Major change on storm front this week with system to…

Major change on storm front this week with system to bring horrid conditions to Ireland

There has been a major change in a storm system that was developing in the Atlantic and had been due to hit Ireland this week.

The storm, which would have been named Storm Antoni if it landed, now appears unlikely to directly hit Ireland.

Latest weather models are showing that the strongest winds are expected to stay south of Ireland instead.

However, Ireland will still be hit with horrid conditions as heavy rain, thunderstorms and even snow are forecast for this week.

Monday and Tuesday are set to be washouts with "widespread heavy showers" and "spot flooding" on Monday.

Things don't look much better Tuesday as Met Eireann warned that sleet and snow may form on higher ground on Tuesday night, with temperatures dropping to 0C.

And Wednesday will see strong and gusty northwest winds combined with heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Weather expert, Alan O’Reilly who has been sharing storm updates on his Carlow Weather Twitter account wrote: "Good news is storm doesn’t develop [as] deeply as had been shown with strongest winds staying South of Ireland but a risk of very heavy rain Tuesday still. Also strong gusts Wednesday, subject to change still."

Here is Met Eireann's full forecast for the week ahead:

Monday, April 10

Widespread heavy showers today, with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms possibly leading to spot flooding. The showers will be most frequent in the east and north and will ease off in the evening. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with strengthening westerly winds.

Heavy showers will become isolated tonight with long clear spells developing. Lowest temperatures of zero degrees in the north to plus 4 degrees in the south, in mostly light southwesterly or variable winds.

Tuesday, April 11

Tomorrow, Tuesday, will start out with widespread showers, some heavy. More persistent rain will develop in the southwest in the afternoon and extend northeastwards. A clearance will follow from the west in the early evening. Highest temperatures will range from 7 to 10 degrees in light to moderate southwest to south winds, becoming variable in direction later.

Showers on coasts on Tuesday night may turn to sleet and snow over hills and high ground, it'll be mainly dry away from coastal areas. Lowest temperatures will range from zero to plus 1 degree with moderate to fresh westerly winds backing southerly. There is a chance of very strong winds in parts of the west and south towards morning.

Wednesday, April 12

A strong northwest wind will develop on Wednesday bringing frequent squally showers throughout the day. Some of the showers will be heavy with a chance for isolated thunderstorms and hail and the showers may merge to longer spells of rain at times. Highest temperatures 7 to 9 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty northwest winds.

Showers will become confined to coasts on Wednesday night with clear spells elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees in fresh and gusty northwest winds.

Thursday, April 13

There'll be scattered showers on Thursday, becoming frequent for a time in the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees in a fresh to strong northwest wind.

Thursday night will be mostly dry with clear skies and lowest temperatures of minus 2 to plus 2 degrees with light, variable winds.

Friday, April 14

There'll be sunny spells and scattered showers, mainly in the north on Friday with light variable winds and temperatures of between 11 and 13 degrees in the afternoon.

Current indications suggest a generally unsettled outlook for the weekend with rain at times, and possibly warmer conditions coming on a southerly wind.

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