Ireland basked in sunny skies with temperatures reaching approximately 20 degrees, however Met Éireann, the national weather service, has transmitted various thunderstorm alerts for the upcoming Monday and Tuesday. An orange thunderstorm alert – the second highest level of danger in Met Éireann’s three-tier warning system, was declared at 3pm on Monday, encompassing the northwestern regions of Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim.
The forecast anticipates slow-moving thunderstorms accompanied by torrential rain and possibly large hail, presenting a considerable risk to drivers due to potential flash flooding and sudden hail causing total loss of vehicle control. The weather authority has also cautioned about possible harm to power cables resulting from these thunderstorms. This alert will remain effective until 9pm on Monday.
Concurrently, a status yellow alert – the lowest severity level in the system, has been communicated for heavy rainfall inclusive of thunderstorms and hail in Cavan, Donegal, Longford and Connacht. Here, the forecast again predicts thunderstorms and hail accompanying heavy showers.
Met Éireann has mentioned that although several areas might not experience the brunt of the adverse weather, in regions where thunderstorms do occur, they might provoke serious travel disruptions and surface water flooding hazards.
In Northern Ireland, the UK Met Office has also sounded a similar yellow alert for thunderstorms in Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry. Despite the favourable weather conditions widely present on Monday, showers are expected to develop in the afternoon, primarily in the northwest and certain central regions, potentially intensifying to thunderstorms with hail and spot flooding.
Continuation of showers is expected through Monday evening, in otherwise predominantly dry and bright weather with ample sunny intervals. Top temperatures are likely to range between 19 and 23 degrees with gentle breezes.
Showers are also likely on Monday night in the midlands, north and west, occasionally becoming heavy. Most of these will dissipate overnight, with more showers anticipated by morning. Wind conditions will remain placid with minimum temperatures falling between 10 and 13 degrees.
Tuesday is expected to commence under cloud cover with showers originating from early morning. These are predicted to intensify and possibly become thundery in the east and south during the afternoon and evening. The highest temperatures will fluctuate between 14 and 18 degrees with light winds.