Ireland could see its first named storm of the season in the coming weeks.
Met Eireann has pinpointed the week of Bank Holiday Monday, February 6 to Sunday, February 12 as the exact date brutal winds and torrential rain could strike.
In its long range forecast, which it issues to give insight into weather patterns for the month ahead, the meteorological service warned “cyclone centres may pass close to Ireland” during this week.
READ MORE: Met Eireann ominous February weather update as 'passing cyclone centres’ could trigger storm chaos
It says the current high pressure, which has been keeping the weather somewhat normal for this time of year, may lose its influence in this period and low pressure could take hold.
This means unsettled fronts of wet and windy weather could move in from the Atlantic with “higher than normal rainfall expected”.
The national forecaster has also refused to rule out weather warnings saying they “are possible during this period”.
Its full forecast for the week of February 6 to 12 reads: “High pressure will lose its influence over Ireland during Week 2 with low pressure being the main feature of our weather, primarily located near to the north of Ireland.
“This week will be unsettled with fronts moving across Ireland in a mobile westerly airflow bringing spells of wet and possibly windy weather. Cyclone centres may pass close to Ireland, and weather warnings are possible during this period.
“Higher than normal rainfall is expected, with totals highest along the western half of the country. Temperatures will be average for the time of year.”
In the meantime, Ireland can expect standard weather conditions for this time of year.
Met Eireann says that overall, mixed conditions can be expected with a fair amount of dry weather and some rain or drizzle at times.
The forecast for the week up until Sunday, February 5 reads: “High pressure will trend to the south of Ireland during Week 1, allowing a westerly airflow to be dominant across Ireland during the week.
“With lower pressure moving to the north of Ireland, trailing fronts will affect Ireland this week with some rainfall and spells of breezy weather expected. However pressure will generally trend higher than average over Ireland, this will weaken the frontal activity.
“It will be drier than normal in the south and east, with rainfall amounts trending close to average or a little above elsewhere, with the most rainfall in the northwest. No warnings or severe weather is expected. Temperatures will trend above average by around one degree.”
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