Heavy Weather....

Originally posted by DapperGent
True that. Though given that weather systems that will be affecting Ireland and Europe in ten days may not and probably have not even formed yet, it is difficult to lend credence to someone saying that the heatwave could be here for another month.

The trends may show that it'll be a warmer/drier than average over the next while but they don't mean much in terms of real accurate forecasting.

Correct .
Europe though, has by and large had two months of tinder dry hot weather as , the good old jet stream has after last year given them a rest, consequently, not many strong weather syatems are getting through.
While you are right to say it is difficult/impossible to give accurate forecasts beyond a week, it's safe to say, in the case of central and southern europe, not much in the way of rain is going to happen, if the jet stream continues to direct developing Atlantic systems away from Europe and the Azores high assists in diverting them Although heat generated local thunderstorms and shallow areas of low pressure, commonly enough develope off Western and Northwestern France.

I think the confusion with tha gopher is the thinking that what is true for Europe, is true for Ireland also.
There is a big difference between our temperate climate, influenced by the Atlantic and being on the Continent.
They are two completely different climates, whose air masses sometimes move to extend influence out side of their normal area.
We being influenced by as you've said warm continental air at the moment.
South East England is a good example of the effects of this.
It's very close proximity to the continent in the winter time, often means it can be colder than the Shetlands or the outer Hebrides ,(despite being hundreds of miles to the south of them) if there is an East or south East wind.
And conversely hotter in the summer, even though, the near Atlantic should be warmer than the North Sea.

That said, we are an island jutting out into the atlantic, and generally closer to the jet stream than places from France southwards. As such we are the first to lose and the last to gain the contintental effect whether in summer or Winter.
Regarding today, given that it is already quite warm here in the East ( I'm reading 22 already in the shade, in strong sunshine, which could mean a high of 26 or more by mid afternoon, if the Sea fog doesn't come in ) It wouldn't surprise me if more than a few claps of thunder were heard from that cold front as it passes through , this way later today.
It's interesting to note also that the BBC forecasters this morning , specifically mentioned the possibility of heavy rain in Eastern Ireland and mentioned Dublin in saying that.
They are expecting the cold front to be pepped up when it hits the warm air somewhere over the Eastern half of Ireland.

So the moral is, for today any how, get out and enjoy it now.
On the good news, it looks likely that the fine sunny, warm conditions will be back tomorrow, only not so humid and are expected to stay around untill wenesday at least

There now!!
Ye didn't have to ring a 1580 number for all that:D