Climate & Environment
Above-Average Rainfall Expected Nationwide as Wet Weekend Looms, Met Éireann Says
Ireland is bracing for a wetter-than-usual stretch of weather, with rain and showers expected to dominate over the coming days and turn heavy at times, Met Éireann has forecast. While some drier intervals are expected, overall rainfall totals are predicted to exceed normal levels across most of the country. The north-west is forecast to be hit hardest, with rainfall potentially reaching 250% of the seasonal average. The south and south-east, by contrast, are expected to see closer-to-normal or below-average rainfall. Friday, September 11, is expected to be mostly bright and dry, with sunny spells and only occasional showers, mainly in the west and north-west. Daytime temperatures will range between 15°C and 20°C. However, cloud will build along western Atlantic coasts later in the evening, bringing rain and drizzle. Overnight, rain will intensify in the west and north, accompanied by moderate to fresh and gusty winds, stronger near the coast. Lows are expected to fall between 10°C and 15°C. Saturday will begin wet and breezy, with rain clearing southward through the morning, though it may persist longer in the south for much of the day. Conditions will improve further north, with scattered showers and possible sunny spells following the clearance. Met Éireann noted that Friday and Sunday will offer the best drying conditions of the coming days, though opportunities for outdoor spraying will remain limited due to periods of rain and breezy weather. Sunday is expected to stay largely dry, with just a few light showers and a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Temperatures will range from 16°C to 21°C. Dry conditions are expected to continue into Sunday night, with cloud and clear spells before rain moves into Atlantic coastal areas by morning. Met Éireann has warned of a wet and breezy start to next week, with widespread rain forecast to turn heavy and persistent at times. Temperatures are expected to peak between 17°C and 21°C, with moderate to fresh south-westerly winds shifting westerly as the rain clears. Conditions are expected to turn fresher and breezier by Tuesday, with sunny spells and scattered showers mainly affecting the west and north. Temperatures will dip slightly, reaching highs of 14°C to 18°C. Overall, Met Éireann describes the outlook for next week as a mixed bag, with rain or showers expected daily alongside some brighter, drier spells. Breezy conditions are expected to continue intermittently, with maximum temperatures generally in the mid-teens.