Ireland could see its first named storm of the year later this week as a brutal weather system sweeps in from the Atlantic.
Weather maps show the risk of a low-pressure system tracking close to the south coast on Thursday night, which could bring strong winds and heavy rain.
While subject to change this far out, Met Eireann says: “Current projections show a mild showery day on Thursday, followed by more widespread rain on Thursday night into Friday with the potential for strong winds in parts.”
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The national forecaster has refused to rule out weather warnings, saying: “There is some potential for wind and rain warnings during this week.”
Irish weather expert Alan O’Reilly is also monitoring the potential for a storm. He shared weather models on his popular Carlow Weather social media accounts, writing: “A risk of a low pressure system tracking close to the South coast Thursday night but track is little uncertain. Most models keep the strong winds South of Ireland. We still haven’t seen a named storm yet but have seen them in April before!”
It comes as Met Eireann has warned that “low pressure in the Atlantic will be the driving force behind our weather this week”.
High and low pressure systems have a strong influence on the types of weather Ireland experiences. As different pressure systems move across Ireland they bring varying weather conditions, depending on the time of year.
Low pressure in the winter often signals stormy or wintry conditions.
Giving its overall forecast for this week, the meteorological service of Ireland said: “Low pressure in the Atlantic will be the driving force behind our weather in this period. This will maintain a mainly southwesterly airflow over Ireland, steering Atlantic frontal systems across the country.
“As a result of the frequent rain and showers, the week will be wetter than average nationwide, but it will also be milder than average with temperatures trending a degree or two above the normal. There is some potential for wind and rain warnings during the period.”
In a day-by-day breakdown, it continued: "Fresh Monday morning with frost in parts of the north and east - mostly sunny here though. A mix of cloud and sunny spells will follow for the rest of the day with some showers across the southwest through the morning. Scattered showers will move into other areas this afternoon, though parts of the north and northeast will stay fully dry. Highest temperatures will range a seasonal 7C to 11C in a light southeasterly breeze, increasing moderate to fresh through the day.
"A band of rain will move over western counties later this evening, and will become widespread across the country tonight, accompanied by fresh and blustery southerly winds. A clearance to showers will follow to Atlantic counties towards morning. Overnight lows of 3C to 8C.
"A wet early morning Tuesday in many areas but, clearer weather in the west, will extend to all parts by the afternoon. Some bright or sunny spells will develop but there'll be scattered showers too. Fresh and blustery southerly winds will veer moderate southwesterly with highs of 11C to 14C .
"Scattered showers slowly clearing Tuesday night. Dry for a time before another band of rain moves in from the west and south around dawn. A mild night with lows of 8C to 10C in light southerly breezes, freshening again and increasing strong around coasts.
"A fairly wet day Wednesday with scattered blustery showers or longer spells of rain, becoming drier in the evening. Staying mild with highs of 12C to 15C and fresh to strong southerly winds becoming moderate southwesterly winds later.
"Showers will affect mainly western and southern areas Wednesday night with drier conditions elsewhere. Mild overnight with lows of 7C to 9C , with moderate to fresh south to southwesterly winds.
"Current projections show a mild showery day on Thursday, followed by more widespread rain on Thursday night into Friday with the potential for strong winds in parts.
"It looks like turning a bit cooler on Friday and for Saturday with a northwesterly airstream feeding in sunshine and showers."
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