Your daily forecasts from Boards.ie weather forum (NO CHAT)

Sunday, 11 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 11 to 17 April 2021 --

-- Temperatures will remain 2 to 4 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will be only about 25 per cent of normal in the north, to near zero in the south.
-- Sunshine will be about 75 per cent of normal, possibly reaching normal amounts in parts of the west. It will generally not be very windy with moderate breezes most days and frequently calm nights.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be similar to yesterday in that cold temperatures and sunshine will be fairly widespread at first, followed by a steady increase in cloud mid-day and outbreaks of sleety or wintry showers, perhaps a little less numerous than yesterday. Highs will reach 5 to 8 C.

TONIGHT will see areas of light rain or sleet mixing with wet snow across north central counties, and partly to mostly cloudy skies further south but with a few breaks perhaps allowing slight frosts, lows generally 1 to 4 C.

MONDAY the light rain or sleet will move into north Leinster and slowly out to sea by afternoon, while most other areas have partly to mostly cloudy skies, some sunny breaks developing, and slightly milder temperatures 8 to 11 C.

TUESDAY will be partly cloudy with slight frosts in the morning, and moderate temperatures by afternoon, lows around -1 C and highs 10 to 13 C.

This slow warming trend will likely cap at 11-14 C highs by mid week and could see a slight falling back by the weekend as cloudier skies limit the heating potential of the mid-April sunshine, and a somewhat cooler sector rotates around the high pressure from a source region in east-central Europe. These changes will be slight and may not be that noticeable as trends, so in general would expect a dry and rather bland pattern to develop as temperatures at least make a partial recovery towards normal values. This almost average temperature regime looks set to continue into a second week of the outlook period; the one fairly active front we were tracking in yesterday's outlook now seems less likely to reach even western counties so it could stay quite dry for the better part of two weeks, once the light rain event tomorrow comes and goes (and some won't be seeing much if any of that rainfall). Although the model output gives little hope of any real warmth, with high pressure stalling out near Britain and the North Sea it wouldn't take much of a change in the balance to create a warmer flow from the continent, however, there are no reliable indicators of that actually happening within two weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if May turned out to be quite warm however.

My local weather was fairly similar to your own, partly to mostly cloudy skies, cold temperatures reaching highs of only about 5 C, and passing snow showers that left slight accumulations in shaded spots. By evening it was clear and quite cold at around -4 C. We are expecting a slow moderation of this late winter pattern towards full-on spring warmth late in the week.

Tuesday, 13 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 13 to 19 April 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average 1 to 2 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 10 to 25 per cent of normal values, quite dry in general, especially eastern counties.
-- Sunshine will average near normal or perhaps slightly below in parts of the west. Winds will generally be rather light through this interval, nights generally calm.


FORECASTS

TODAY will become partly cloudy with just a few isolated showers in the north. One or two could become a bit heavier but amounts will be slight in general. Highs 11 to 13 C as temperatures continue to recover.

TONIGHT will bring some clear intervals and slight frosts are likely, lows -2 to +3 C.

WEDNESDAY will be sunny with cloudy intervals and light winds, highs 11 to 14 C.

THURSDAY will become partly cloudy with lows -1 to +3 C and highs 11 to 15 C.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY may have more cloud as a weak Atlantic front combines with some cloud rotating around the high pressure area from northern France and the combination will lead to almost totally overcast skies with perhaps a few breaks in the east mainly, the risk of some light rain in western counties at times but this may amount to very little. Lows near 4 C and highs 9 to 12 C.

After this front breaks up another interval of rather bland weather will set in around Sunday and last for perhaps a week or more. There will likely be a slow warming trend although coastal areas may see local sea breeze cooling if winds acquire much of an easterly component. I wouldn't be too surprised if this eventually turns into a warmer spell but the improvements will be quite gradual. Total rainfalls this month are not likely to be very great but some areas are using up soil moisture that accumulated in wetter months recently. Spring blooming has no doubt been quite slow with the colder than average weather but it should pick up to a more normal pace now.

My local weather on Monday continued rather cold and there was a snow shower during the late afternoon, after highs had reached about 7 C. Much warmer weather is going to develop over all western regions of North America as a large ridge is building in the upper atmosphere, highs of 20 to 25 C are predicted for us later in the week. Further east the opposite trend is developing after a warmish start to April, turning colder in stages for eastern regions of North America.

Thursday, 15 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 15 to 21 April 2021

-- Temperatures will average about 1 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 25 to 50 per cent of normal, driest in Leinster and east Munster.
-- Sunshine will average a little below average with cloudy skies prevailing this weekend in particular.
-- Winds will pick up a bit from current light and variable regime to moderate southerlies, then back to a more variable regime middle portions of next week.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be mostly sunny with light winds, highs 12 to 15 C.

TONIGHT will be clear with increasing high cloud in parts of the west and south, lows -2 to +3 C. Slight frosts may occur in parts of Leinster and Ulster.

FRIDAY will have variable amounts of cloud, mainly higher based types in the east allowing some bright spells to continue, lower bases near Atlantic coasts with occasional light rain possible by later in the day. Highs 11 to 14 C.

SATURDAY will see more widespread rain although amounts only 3-7 mm in most areas, and some dry intervals likely. Lows near 7 C and highs near 13 C.

SUNDAY will also be mostly cloudy with occasional light rain, lows near 7 C and highs 12 to 14 C. If any heavier bursts of rain develop it would likely be near the northwest coasts.

MONDAY will start out overcast with light rain or drizzle, with a shift in winds to northwest around mid-day, followed by partial clearing. Rather cool, lows near 5 C and highs 11 to 13 C.

TUESDAY to THURSDAY of next week should be mainly dry and partly cloudy, possibly sunny for longer intervals around Wednesday. Highs will return to about the mid-April normal values of 14 to 16 C. Slight frosts may occur at night.

Beyond that, a slightly cooler trend is likely again with some further light rainfalls.

My local weather is warming up nicely, under very clear skies all day we got up to about 17 C. Looking for the first real warmth of the year tomorrow and Friday (low 20s). Snow has retreated out of the town altogether now, aside from a few piles from plowing operations, and is patchy on hills up to 1500m, disappearing gradually above that. Not much runoff as the snow is sublimating faster than it can melt.

Saturday, 17 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 17 to 23 April 2021

-- Temperatures will average near normal values, to about 1 deg below normal.
-- Rainfall will average perhaps 25 per cent of normal in some parts of the west but less elsewhere.
-- Sunshine will average near normal values despite a lot of cloud until Monday. Improvements will follow.
-- Winds will remain quite light for most places, sometimes moderate easterly later next week.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be rather cloudy in the west, to partly cloudy east, and some sunny breaks are possible in Leinster and parts of Ulster. Patchy light rain will return after drying up overnight, but amounts of 1-5 mm mainly in western counties won't be very heavy at all. Highs 11-14 C.

TONIGHT will become more overcast with the patchy light rain continuing a slow spread further east, lows near 6 C.

SUNDAY will be cloudy with a few brighter intervals, and more of the patchy light rain, once again looking to be held down to 2-7 mm amounts, from east to west. Highs 11-14 C, but that's rather cool for this stage of April.

MONDAY will be more overcast with perhaps lower cloud ceilings for a time especially over coastal areas, and some light rain or drizzle. It will feel rather cool with temperatures steady around 10 to 12 C.

TUESDAY will see a slow clearing trend in north to northeast winds, lows near 6 C and highs 11 to 13 C.

WEDNESDAY to at least FRIDAY are likely to be dry and partly cloudy days with a moderate east to northeast breeze at times, perhaps cooling the eastern third of the country to 11-13 C while allowing regions further inland and in the west to warm to about 14-16 C. Nights will become cooler again with scattered light frosts possible. This pattern is now looking like it wants to lock in for a while with a reload of the colder variety of northeast flow similar to what happened around Easter Monday, occurring some time towards the end of the month. Timing is very uncertain in these blocking patterns, but the general idea would be a continued rather bland weather pattern with limited amounts of rainfall.

My weather remained quite amazing for this time of year with sunshine and highs in the low to mid 20s all over the province. This may continue for a while with reloads from the north starting new cycles of warming every so often, and while the dry spell will be welcome for many reasons, it does pose a danger of an early forest fire season once the now fairly normal late snow pack disappears from higher elevations.

Monday, 19 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 19 to 25 April 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average 1 to 2 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will amount to 25 per cent of normal, mostly during today and tonight.
-- Sunshine will improve later in the week and could reach above normal totals eventually.
-- Wind speeds will continue quite low, sometimes moderate easterly.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be overcast and rather misty in light rain or drizzle, eventually reaching any areas that have stayed dry, but amounts will only be in the 5-10 mm range. Rather chilly for this time of year, with highs 10-13 C.

TONIGHT will continue overcast with light rain or drizzle more intermittent after midnight, lows 6 to 8 C.

TUESDAY will see a slow clearing trend from north to south, with some patches of drizzle lingering across the inland central and southern counties in the morning. Highs 11 to 14 C.

WEDNESDAY will bring more sunshine than cloud, in light but chilly easterly breezes. Lows 2 to 5 C and highs 11 to 15 C, mildest in the west.

THURSDAY and FRIDAY will continue partly to mostly sunny and rather cool in eastern counties, more seasonable in the west though, lows 1 to 4 C with patchy light ground frosts, and highs 11 to 16 C.

This rather sluggish pattern will likely persist through next weekend with little change expected in the weather until some time middle to end of the following week, when another cooler air mass pushes in from the northeast while Atlantic lows finally begin to assert some influence; gradually this will lead to intervals of warmer weather although unsettled at times.

My local weather started out clear and sunny with warm temperatures again, highs near 23 C, then a front pushed in from the northeast and stirred up some strong gusts from the northwest, eventually settling into the northeast as colder air from Alberta replaces this warm spell, but we only get one day of shallow cool air outflow from that before the warmth returns here. The colder air is more concentrated on the eastern slopes of the Rockies where snow is falling tonight in Montana and Wyoming. There have been some severe wind gusts in eastern Washington state as this system intensifies while moving south of us.

Wednesday, 21 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 21 to 27 April 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average near normal or within 1 degree where slightly below normal.
-- Rainfall will average near zero to near the end of this period, picking up slightly in the days just after this weekly interval ends. A few parts of Ulster could see 25 per cent of normal rainfall by next Tuesday.
-- Sunshine will average 25 to 50 per cent above normal, except in some cloudier coastal locations.
-- Winds will continue to average only 20 to 40 km/hr at their peak and calm spells at night will be the rule.


FORECASTS

TODAY will see some better sunshine in some regions, mostly inland away from cloudier coastal areas. The east coast in particular may see more cloud than sun. Isolated showers are still possible but few places will get more than a trace of rain. Highs near 11 C on the east coast to 15 C near the west coast and in some parts of the inland south and midlands.

TONIGHT will see some clear intervals, fog or mist in places, and lows generally around 2 to 5 C. Isolated patchy ground frost may return.

THURSDAY to SATURDAY will be a pleasant sunny interval for most places, still the threat of some coastal cloud at times, and the same temperature regime as today although it could warm up by a degree or two for all regions. So expect highs 13 to 17 C for most areas, and overnight lows in the range of -1 to +4 C, with patchy frost in a few locations.

By SUNDAY and MONDAY a weak frontal trough to the north will be exerting some influence and spreading variable amounts of cloud into the region. It may lead to some drizzle in north coast Ulster at times, although Tuesday to Wednesday look a bit more unsettled in the north. Temperatures will be slowly edging back down towards the range of 11 to 14 C by day but nights will not get any cooler due to the increased cloudiness. Then it appears likely that another cold spell will develop towards the end of the month and temperatures could fall a few degrees further with highs possibly not far from 10 C by the last days of April into early May. This will all end up in a transitional scenario where the cold and blocking get pushed back into the far north by a more vigorous jet stream, some time around the first week of May or possibly a bit later. Some time around mid-May it could be quite a bit warmer than it has been this month.

My local weather on Tuesday was sunny with a slight increase in temperature again to highs near 17 C. Snow has developed in parts of the lower Great Lakes region, with forecasts of 15 to 20 cms in some places.

Friday, 23 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 23 to 29 April 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average near normal values in most areas, perhaps around 1 deg below normal in the east.
-- Rainfall will average near zero, with trace to 3 mm amounts possible around Tuesday of next week.
-- Sunshine will average 25 to 50 per cent above normal values, except in a few cloudier coastal districts.


FORECASTS

TODAY will feature mild to warm sunshine for most areas with highs 15-18 C, although cooler near the south and east coasts where some cloud may also form in sea breeze cooled areas, highs 12-14 C. Light winds inland and across the north but moderate southeast breezes at times in Munster and south Leinster.

TONIGHT will be clear with mist or fog patches in some areas, and isolated patches of ground frost likely, lows -1 to +4 C.

SATURDAY will be another mostly sunny and mild to warm day with highs 16-19 C, still a few degrees cooler near some coasts, and winds similar to today.

SUNDAY will be sunny with increasing cloud in some northern areas, highs 16-19 C and slightly cooler again near some coasts with sea breezes more evenly distributed around all coasts. Morning lows 2 to 5 C.

MONDAY will bring partly cloudy skies and slightly cooler temperatures in the 13-17 C range.

TUESDAY will be cooler with northerly breezes, isolated brief showers (trace to 3 mm potential) and highs near 12 C.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY will continue rather cool, partly cloudy to sunny skies, slight frosts returning at night, highs 13 to 16 C.

The further outlook calls for the dry spell to continue into May with a slow moderation in temperatures and there could be some fairly warm weather eventually, with less emphasis now on frontal rainfalls as the transition may take place with high pressure remaining in the general vicinity of Ireland. Some people probably need to see some rainfall so I will say we are not necessarily locked into this outcome.

My local weather was partly cloudy and showers stayed away, with just some virga clouds noted at times, and highs around 15 C.

Sunday, 25 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 25 April to 1 May 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average 2 to 3 deg below normal, although today will be a bit warmer than average.
-- Rainfall will average 10 to 20 per cent of normal values.
-- Sunshine will average 25 per cent above normal values. Winds will remain light until Tuesday then become more moderate in strength and mainly from a northeasterly direction (later backing northwest).


FORECASTS

TODAY will be sunny, hazy and warm with the sea breezes perhaps a bit less of a factor at least on the east coast, highs will reach 17-20 C in many areas even fairly close to the coasts today. (could be held down to 15 C at the shore)

TONIGHT will continue clear with a bit of cloud at times in the north, lows -1 to +3 C.

MONDAY will see a gradual increase in cloud from north to south, followed by a few showers in Ulster by late in the day, but staying dry elsewhere. Highs 14-18 C.

TUESDAY will turn cooler with occasional showers, one or two a bit heavier and possibly thundery. Lows near 5 C and highs 12-15 C in north to northeast winds 30-50 km/hr.

WEDNESDAY will be partly cloudy to overcast with isolated showers, cool, with moderate north to northeast winds at times, lows near 4 C and highs near 13 C.

THURSDAY and FRIDAY will continue similar with partly cloudy to overcast skies, risk of isolated showers, and highs near 13 C after morning lows around 4 C. Any location that clears during these nights could see frost but it may be too cloudy for widespread frost to form.

This cold air mass will try to hold on next weekend but somewhat milder air from the southeast will replace it for a time, before a front passes around Sunday 2nd May, with rain at times, then another cool spell will follow with another gradual moderation of temperatures in the first week of May. That may be the last of these cool spells as there are signs of a larger scale pattern change coming along after that one.

My local weather on Saturday was overcast and foggy with light rain or drizzle and calm conditions but only around 8 degrees C. This is the first rain we've seen here since the spring-like weather arrived a week ago.

Tuesday, 27 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 27 Apr to 3 May 2021

-- Temperatures will average about 3 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will average near normal or possibly slightly above if it rains significantly on Monday 3rd.
-- Sunshine will average only 50 to 75 per cent of normal values.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be noticeably cooler with a few showers, more frequent across Ulster and north Connacht, north Leinster and later parts of the midlands. Winds will turn more to the north at 30-50 km/hr, highs only reaching 11 to 14 C. About 2-5 mm rainfalls can be expected in most places, but a few thunderstorm cells could develop and give heavier amounts locally.

TONIGHT will stay partly to mostly cloudy and cool with a few more showers possible, lows 2 to 5 C.

WEDNESDAY will be partly cloudy and cool with showers, moderate north to northeast winds 40-60 km/hr, highs only about 10 to 14 C.

THURSDAY will be partly cloudy with showers and chance of a local thunderstorm, lows 1 to 4 C and highs 10 to 14 C.

FRIDAY will be partly cloudy to overcast and cool with isolated showers, lows near 2 C and highs 12 to 15 C.

SATURDAY will also be rather cloudy with a few sunny breaks, lows near 3 C and highs near 13 C.

SUNDAY and MONDAY there may be some locally significant rainfalls especially in parts of the south as low pressure develops to the west of Ireland but fails to move this colder air mass, so that the interaction will lead to low cloud, rain and drizzle, possibly amounts of 10-20 mm or more. Temperatures will be quite chilly if this low develops as expected, with no sunshine to warm the air, readings of 8 to 10 C could remain in place, but if the situation is less developed then temperatures would likely get into the 12-14 C range which is perhaps more likely in the north anyway further from the frontal zone.

Then it looks like this battle of air masses will continue for a while, with no really clear indication of when it will end (which it is going to do sooner or later) so that warmer air masses can push in from the southwest. It could take a week or two of occasional frontal systems and rainfalls with depressed temperatures for a while into May.

My local weather on Monday was partly to mostly cloudy but stayed dry, and temperatures were still on the cool side at around 10 C.

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 29 April to 5 May 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average 3 to 4 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 25 to 50 per cent above normal values, heaviest around Monday and again towards end of the interval.
-- Sunshine will average only about 50 per cent of normal values -- this is generally the sunniest portion of the year in many parts of the country with 5 to 6 hours sunshine daily, but this coming week, three will be a realistic target.


FORECASTS

TODAY will start out partly cloudy, any morning sunshine is likely to fade behind gradually spreading shower clouds, as scattered showers make their way gradually south and west, with one or two turning locally heavy with hail and thunder possible. Very cool for late April, highs only 9 to 13 C.

TONIGHT will see a return to partly cloudy and mainly dry conditions with scattered light frosts developing, lows -2 to +3 C.

FRIDAY will be almost a repeat of today with a gradual increase in cloud, scattered showers and a few thunderstorms, and cool temperatures, with light winds, the showers may not move along very fast once they develop over any given location, so some locally heavy downpours are possible. Highs 9 to 13 C.

SATURDAY will be a less unsettled but still quite cool day with light winds, some sunshine at times, isolated showers and after lows -2 to +3 C, highs near 12 C.

SUNDAY will become more cloudy during the mid-day and afternoon hours, leading to rain by late in the day. Lows near -1 C and highs near 11 C.

MONDAY looks rather dismal at this point with a well-organized low pushing in from the west, bringing some intervals of heavy rain and strong southeast winds, later turning westerly as the low tracks past central Ireland around mid-day. Rainfalls of 15-30 mm appear possible, temperatures will be held down by the cloud and rain to around 9-12 C.

OUTLOOK ... some improvements on Tuesday but staying rather cool, then another frontal boundary rainfall event around mid-week with similar outcomes to the first one (Monday), then another cycle of dry and unsettled beyond that although perhaps with warmer air slowly becoming part of the mixture of air masses. Some more average May weather conditions appear possible by the middle to end of the second week of the month.

My local weather on Wednesday was mostly cloudy but a bit warmer, with temperatures near 14 C locally, up to around 21 C in lower elevations around the region. This has led to quite a contrast in conditions, in the nearby Columbia valley trees are almost at full spring foliation now, while up in the higher country to our north and west, snow is still covering the ground. In our case we have just a slow partial spring developing with the snow mostly gone from the town, replaced by bears it would seem, we actually saw three of them today on a short trip, near the edge of town crossing the main highway, which led to both directions coming to a halt to let them across (it was apparently a mother and her two cubs but fairly well along so they must have been born last autumn and hibernated too). Anyway, there's something I'll bet you won't see but everything else about our weather and reduced social life under lockdown here seems about the same (bears hadn't heard about the requirements).

Saturday, 1 May, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 1 to 7 May 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average 3 to 5 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 25 to 75 per cent above normal.
-- Sunshine will average about half of normal values. It will become very windy at times.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be partly cloudy with isolated showers becoming more widespread by mid-day. Once again, one or two of these could be locally heavy with hail and thunder. Highs 11 to 14 C.

TONIGHT will become partly cloudy with clear intervals, and frosty in some locations, lows -2 to +3 C.

SUNDAY will bring increasing cloud and outbreaks of rain becoming widespread by late in the day. Chilly with highs only 9 to 13 C.

MONDAY will be windy and cool with an interval of heavy rain (10-20 mm) followed by very windy conditions, partial clearing but squally showers developing in westerly winds of 70 to 110 km/hr. Strongest gusts late afternoon and evening near Atlantic coasts. Morning lows near 5 C and afternoon highs only 9 to 12 C.

TUESDAY will continue windy until mid to late afternoon with some moderation by then, as bands of squally showers continue, some with hail and thunder. Winds northwest to north 60 to 90 km/hr before the moderating trend. Lows near 3 C and highs only 7 to 12 C (coldest in Ulster, north Connacht, north Leinster).

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY will continue unseasonably cold for early May and there could even be mixed wintry showers over higher parts of the north at times, while all regions will be subject to squally hail showers and some thunder. Highs both days only 7 to 12 C and morning lows -1 to +3 C. Winds northerly 40 to 70 km/hr with some lower speeds inland at night.

FRIDAY may see a brief slight improvement to partly cloudy skies and highs near 14 C, then the weekend of May 8-9 looks very wet and windy as another strong low develops and moves through the south. Temperatures may remain rather cold with this.

The week of 10-14 May looks cold at first with a gradual return to more seasonable temperatures and there could in fact be some warmer weather eventually by the middle of the month.

My local weather on Friday was partly cloudy and rather warm again with highs around 18 to 22 C around the region.

Monday, 3 May, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 3 to 9 May 2021

-- Temperatures will average 2 to 4 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfalls will average near normal to 25 per cent above normal (this is not a change by the way, some of the expected rain for the last interval fell overnight already).
-- Sunshine will be 50 to 75 per cent of normal values. Strong winds will peak later today and after that, generally moderate wind speeds can be expected most days.


FORECASTS

TODAY will bring some changeable and in some cases stormy weather, as showers and a few isolated thunderstorms move through the midlands into Leinster by mid-day, followed by a surge of strong westerly winds that will impact the west coast before noon lasting into the evening hours. With the low centre tracking southeast towards Mayo and then east through north Connacht into south Ulster later today, some areas in the vicinity of this track will experience a lull in wind speeds when the low centre is nearby due to a slack gradient there, but expect strong northwest winds to follow that. Further south, there won't be much of a break between several bands of strong winds in the 70 to 110 km/hr range, with a slow turning of wind direction from southwest to northwest. Galway Bay could see some elevated tidal levels at high tides and other exposed locations could have some overtopping and battering wave damage. These strong winds will tend to rush through central counties into the Dublin region by late afternoon and early evening. Temperatures will be steady in the range of 11 to 14 C before slowly falling later today except that north Ulster will stay in cooler air most of the day with strong east winds at times there. Rainfall will be largely confined to the east and the immediate vicinity of the low centre with 10-20 mm amounts possible, but isolated showers will develop in the evening strong northwest wind flow. With all of those changing details, some brighter intervals are likely especially near the south coast.

There is some chance of a squall line feature developing with today's active weather, if so it would be approaching Dublin around noon to 1 p.m. and moving through the southeast around 1 to 2 p.m. Watch for any discussion of that in the dedicated storm thread.

TONIGHT will remain quite windy especially near Atlantic coasts and over the Irish Sea with gusts to 120 km/hr in places. Passing showers could become rather squally and temperatures will slowly fall to around 5 C by morning.

TUESDAY will be partly cloudy with bands of squally showers in a northwest wind of 50-80 km/hr. Rather cold with highs only 7 to 9 C in the north, 10 to 13 C in the south.

WEDNESDAY will be partly cloudy to overcast with isolated showers in many areas but more active bands of showers with some potential for mixed wintry falls over higher terrain in Ulster and north Connacht. Lows near -2 C inland could bring scattered frosts. Highs 7 to 10 C in many areas, 10 to 13 C in parts of the south. Winds northwest 40 to 70 km/hr at times but not as windy as previous days.

THURSDAY has some uncertainty regarding the outcome of a frontal band of rain extending near but not necessarily all the way to the south coast, but most of the country will be staying in the same general regime with partly cloudy to overcast skies, chilly temperatures near 10 C after scattered morning frosts, and isolated showers. If rain does move in that probably won't affect many places away from the south coast.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY will come under the influence of another Atlantic low which is tracking in from the southwest, bringing rain and moderate southeast to south winds and slightly milder temperatures for a while, perhaps 12 to 15 degrees in the southeast, although tending to stay colder in the northwest where winds could be more northeasterly. Rainfalls of 10 to 30 mm are possible in this interval, but there is uncertainty in regards to details.

From about SUNDAY to TUESDAY 11th, another cold spell seems likely in a northerly flow behind the low just mentioned, and it will be quite variable sky conditions with scattered showers likely, temperatures not far from 10 C.

Somewhat warmer conditions are likely to develop after that with a faint promise of actual spring warmth by about the third week of May.

My local weather was pleasant on Sunday with sunny skies, rather breezy and around 16 C.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 5 to 11 May, 2021

-- Temperatures will average 1 to 3 deg below normal values, somewhat milder around Saturday.
-- Rainfalls will average near normal values, most of the rain expected will be around Sunday-Monday.
-- Suinshine will average 50 to 75 per cent of normal, winds will be generally moderate.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be partly cloudy in most regions, somewhat more overcast in the north where more frequent showers are likely, and some of those could turn wintry on higher terrain. Elsewhere showers will likely be mostly rain with some hail and the risk of thunder. Amounts for most will be slight, 1-3 mm. Quite cool for early May, highs 7 to 10 C in the north, and 10 to 13 C in the south.

TONIGHT will continue partly cloudy to overcast with isolated showers, and scattered frosts where skies clear for any length of time, lows -2 to +2 C.

THURSDAY will be partly cloudy with showers, cool and breezy (northerly 40-60 km/hr), highs 7 to 12 C.

FRIDAY will be partly cloudy with only a few isolated showers, and longer sunny breaks for some, lows -3 to +2 C and highs 10 to 13 C. Rain will spread into the southwest by late afternoon or evening.

SATURDAY will turn somewhat milder in the southeast, with occasional rain and variable cloud cover, highs reaching about 14 C there. The west and north will remain overcast with outbreaks of rain developing, 5 to 10 mm likely, and highs 12 or 13 C.

SUNDAY will see similar conditions but rain will be more persistent and will slowly spread further east, 10 to 20 mm could fall especially in west Munster and Connacht. Highs 11 to 13 C.

MONDAY and TUESDAY will probably see a gradual cooling trend, the speed with which temperatures fall depends on whether the weekend low spins around a couple of times or keeps plodding along to the northeast, if it does the latter then cooler air can begin to spread back in from the north a little faster. Temperatures will be down at least a degree or two each day, and could be back to the current levels by Tuesday. Some showers are likely in north to northeast winds.

Around mid-week high pressure will build up and this could lead to sharp frosts at night with clearing skies, but days should be tolerable with the light winds and highs around 12 to 15 C. The guidance is a bit scattered on how fast this high breaks down and there could be several dry days or possibly a return to rain by about Friday into Saturday. The longer term looks rather variable with temperatures on either side of normal at times, but always with the threat of one more significant cold spell developing.

My local weather on Tuesday was partly cloudy to overcast, cool, with spots of rain and even a few soft hail pellets mixed in, although amounts were slight. The highs for the day were about the same as there, near 10 C.

Friday, 7 May, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 7 to 13 May 2021 --

-- Temperatures will be 1 to 2 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will be near normal to 25 per cent above normal in parts of the west and south.
-- Sunshine will be 50 to 75 per cent of normal values. Winds will be generally moderate.


FORECASTS


TODAY will be sunny with cloudy intervals, and only a few isolated showers mainly in northern counties. Becoming overcast by late afternoon in west Munster. Highs 11 to 14 C.

TONIGHT will become cloudy with outbreaks of rain spreading into the south and west, 10 to 20 mm likely. Winds increasing to southeast 40 to 60 km/hr, stronger gusts at times in west Munster. Lows 6 to 9 C.

SATURDAY will bring some further outbreaks of rain, then a dry interval is likely to spread into parts of the southern and central counties with a few brighter intervals, warmer than in recent days, highs 14 to 17 C. Some further rain is likely near Atlantic coasts and in north Connacht and parts of Ulster with highs 12 to 15 C there. The moderate southerly breezes will tend to die off gradually by evening.

SUNDAY will have variable amounts of cloud and frequent showers or intervals of rain, another 10 to 15 mm rain is expected. Still rather mild with temperatures steady in the range of 11 to 14 C. Some intervals of moderate southeast winds near south coast and exposed higher terrain.

MONDAY will be partly cloudy to overcast with showers, a few isolated thunderstorms and risk of hail, light winds as the low, while now almost over the centre of the country, weakens to a very slack gradient. Temperatures steady in the range of 10 to 13 C. Further rainfalls of 5-10 mm likely.

TUESDAY will turn a bit colder as winds start to turn more to the northeast, occasional showers or intervals of light rain, 3-7 mm on average, and temperatures steady 8 to 11 C.

From that point on, the unsettled weather will very gradually improve but only partial clearing is likely, which will prevent frosts from being very widespread as had been anticipated when higher pressure was expected to push in, now it looks like a rather slack gradient will continue but the full effects of the colder air mass will only be seen further north to northwest, however, it should be cautioned that we can't entirely rule out a return to the more significant cold pattern as this guidance is only moderately reliable with things grinding to a halt in terms of steering currents and large-scale ridges and troughs. The most likely longer term outcome is probably somewhat warmer than average weather for a while by the third week of May.

My local weather was bright despite a lot of higher cloud, and it was very warm, with a high near 24 C locally and closer to 29 C in nearby valleys. It felt a bit like summer for the first time this year.

Sunday, 9 May, 2021

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 9 to 15 May 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average near normal values, rather small range expected between daytime highs and overnight lows.
-- Rainfall will be near normal in parts of the central and inland southeast counties, to 25 per cent below average in the north and parts of the southwest.
-- Sunshine will be 50 to 75 per cent of normal, and winds will drop back into the light to moderate range.


FORECASTS


TODAY will be rather breezy at times with intervals of cloud and sunshine, more cloud over western counties with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts 5-10 mm, but 2-5 mm in parts of Leinster especially near the east coast. Highs 12 to 15 C.

TONIGHT will continue mostly cloudy with a few showers, 2-5 mm rainfall. Lows 7 to 9 C.

MONDAY will be cloudy with a few breaks, and showers will turn heavy in some central counties with isolated thunderstorms. Some heavy downpours are expected by afternoon in the inland southeast also. Highs 12 to 15 C. Rainfalls of 5 to 15 mm possible.

TUESDAY will be partly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms, heavier in the inland southeast than most other areas. Lows near 7 C and highs near 13 C. Rainfalls of 5 to 10 mm likely.

WEDNESDAY will be partly cloudy with showers less widespread, rainfalls only 2 to 5 mm on average. Lows near 6 C and highs near 14 C.

THURSDAY will become overcast and some light rain is likely starting from the northern counties in the morning and spreading further south, with cooler temperatures as the weak disturbance advances, temperatures near 13 C in the south and 10 C north.

FRIDAY will see some dry intervals and sunny breaks with a cooler overnight low of 1 to 4 C, daytime highs 11 to 15 degrees.

OUTLOOK ... Weather systems have slowed to a crawl but a more normal westerly flow is expected to kick in around next weekend, with a frontal system scheduled to bring some rain around Saturday, timing in these situations can easily change by a day or more though -- this rainfall will be accompanied by temperatures around 15 C. The week to follow looks changeable and near normal in temperatures.

My local weather on Saturday was overcast with a few breaks, after some early morning showers, and it has stayed rather cool with highs around 14 C.