Met Éireann predict big weather twist for Ireland amid 'significant storm risk'

Ireland's weather is going to take a further turn for the worse this weekend with strong winds and heavy rain set to batter the country. Forecasters are on storm watch with a low pressure system tracking towards Ireland from the Atlantic.

No storm has been named but Met Éireann's outlook for the rest of the week says it looks like "remaining unsettled to end the week and over the weekend with wet and breezy conditions at times."

They also predict "very high spring tides will bring an ongoing risk of coastal flooding, even in the absence of heavy rain and strong winds."

Meanwhile, other regional forecasters are watching weather models over a potential storm hitting Ireland on Saturday night.

Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly said: "Still uncertainty around Saturday night and Sunday with risk of storm but some models have it rather deep off to the West coast and bringing strong winds to Ireland, some don’t develop it as much. Certainly one to watch over next few days."

Wednesday morning update with latest on the next few days including risk of some stormy winds Saturday night into Sunday. Also parts of France, Spain and Italy to see a lot of rain. pic.twitter.com/OGqLq52rPN

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 16, 2024

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel has said there is a "significant risk" of a storm on Saturday. He added: "Weather models are begin to coalesce regarding a potentially significant storm on Saturday night into Sunday.

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"At the moment the storm looks like passing to the northwest of the country, but still close enough to bring significant impacts for the northwest of the country.

"However, being so far away time wise, there is still of course the risk that the storm may be further to the east and bring more widespread impacts. This is certainly one to watch given its rapid development close to Ireland and its central pressure being down to 946 hPa.

"Before then we have to keep a close eye on potential coastal flooding along the west coast on Friday when strong southwest to westerly winds coincide with very high tides. In other words, if you’re out in Galway on Thursday night don’t park your car in Salthill."

Met Éireann is also predicting a lot of unsettled weather between now and the weekend. Their forecasters say Wednesday will be "cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the northeast gradually clearing and scattered showers elsewhere."

They add: "However, another spell of showery rain in the southwest will spread northeastwards through the morning and afternoon, with some heavy bursts possible. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees with light to moderate southerly winds. Very high spring tides will mean a chance of coastal flooding.

"Any remaining rain will clear to the northeast early [Wednesday night], with scattered showers and clear spells following from the southwest. A few mist and fog patches will develop too in light to moderate southerly winds. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees.

"Thursday will be quite mild with sunny spells. Scattered showers will move northeastwards across the country through the day, some heavy with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. The showers will become isolated in the late afternoon. Very high spring tides will bring a possibility of coastal flooding. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in light to moderate southerly winds, veering westerly," the forecast continues.

"A dry and largely clear start [on Thursday night] to the night but cloud will build from the west overnight with outbreaks rain pushing into the west and south. Becoming breezy with southerly winds increasing moderate to fresh. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees.

"Wet and blustery on Friday with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards across the country, turning heavy or thundery in places. Fresh to strong southerly winds will accompany the rain and, with very high spring tides continuing, there will be a risk of coastal flooding. A clearance to bright spells and isolated showers will move into the western half of the country during the evening. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

"Any remaining rain will clear the east early in the night, with clear spells and isolated light showers following from the west. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in light to moderate south to southwest winds.

"Mainly dry and bright with sunny spells and just isolated showers [on  Saturday]. However, cloud will thicken from the southwest later in the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in moderate south to southwest winds.

"Becoming wet and windy with strong and gusty southerly winds and widespread rain, heavy at times [on Saturday night]. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees.

"While there is some uncertainty, Sunday looks like it will be a windy day with very strong and gusty southwesterly winds and potential for coastal flooding. Rain will clear early in the day with sunny spells and showers following for most. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees," Met Éireann's latest forecast concludes.