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

Thursday, 2 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 2 to 8 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average 1 to 2 deg above normal values.
-- Rainfall will average around 50 to 75 per cent of normal values.
-- Sunshine will average near normal.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be mostly cloudy with a few brighter intervals in parts of Munster and Galway. Outbreaks of light rain will continue across Ulster and will spread into Connacht and the midlands, north Leinster by mid-day, making some further southward progress through the afternoon. Amounts of 1-3 mm will be typical. Highs 10 to 13 C.

TONIGHT will continue partly to mostly cloudy with the light showers more confined to west Munster with some renewed activity in north and east Ulster. Lows 5 to 8 C.

FRIDAY will be cloudy with a few brighter intervals, and outbreaks of light rain or drizzle mainly near western coasts. Highs 10 to 13 C.

SATURDAY will be mostly cloudy with increasingly strong southerly winds reaching 60 to 90 km/hr by evening, then those will peak during the late overnight into Sunday morning. Rain will spread gradually into western counties, 5 to 10 mm amounts can be expected there, but it may not arrive in the east until overnight. Morning lows near 7 C and afternoon highs near 12 C.

SUNDAY will be breezy to windy and quite mild with a few heavier bursts of rain moving through the west, midlands and north and more isolated showers for the south and east. Morning lows near 10 C and afternoon highs 13 to 16 C. Winds south to southwest 50 to 80 km/hr except 80 to 110 km/hr in parts of Connacht and west Ulster.

MONDAY will continue quite breezy with variable amounts of cloud and a few residual showers, highs near 12 C.

TUESDAY will be partly cloudy and mild with highs near 15 C.

The OUTLOOK is for rather mild weather to continue with occasional frontal passages bringing near average amounts of rainfall but with dry intervals between these fronts lasting two or three days at a time. It should be ideal for gardening and farming interests in these challenging times. Temperatures may average slightly above normal most of the month.

My local weather on Wednesday was partly to mostly cloudy but a bit warmer at around 8 C. Snow in the local wooded areas is beginning to look a bit patchy now and it has largely gone from open areas in the town, still quite present on the hills around here though. It will probably be near the end of April before we have much of a spring look here, and the charts look rather cold for the next two weeks, so mixtures of rain and snow seem likely for us.

Saturday, 4 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 4 to 10 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average 2 or even 3 deg above normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 50 to 75 per cent of normal.
-- Sunshine will average near normal to 25% above normal.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be mostly cloudy with a few brighter spells at times, mainly dry but some patchy drizzle could begin around mid-day, and it will become increasingly breezy (southerly 50 to 80 km/hr at times this afternoon and evening). Highs 12 to 14 C.

TONIGHT will be overcast, breezy with light rain spreading into south and west, then other regions towards dawn, lows near 7 C.

SUNDAY will be overcast with outbreaks of rain, sometimes rather heavy in western counties, 10 to 20 mm amounts are possible, but there could also be brief intervals of brighter weather, and the wind will ease somewhat in parts of the south and east. Southwest winds of 50 to 80 km/hr with higher gusts in the northwest. Highs 13 to 16 C, highest values likely to be in the northern midlands.

MONDAY will remain quite breezy but with a clearing trend, as morning showers depart to the east, leaving partly cloudy skies and afternoon highs of 12 C after a mild overnight reading of about 9 C.

TUESDAY will see some sunny intervals and moderate southerly winds, lows near 3 C and highs near 13 C.

WEDNESDAY will bring increasing amounts of high cloud and the threat of some light rain in the far west by afternoon, lows near 4 C and highs near 14 C.

The outlook is a bit uncertain beyond mid-week with guidance diverging into different scenarios but most of those are on the milder side, the main variable is cloud cover and amounts of rainfall. Some guidance suggests a rather significant amount of rain by Thursday, then a relatively dry weekend. I think at this point safe to assume temperatures will be in the mid-teens generally, by day, and above freezing at night.

My local weather was wintry, some heavy bursts of snow left a coating and with partial thaw in sunny intervals, then evening freeze conditions it became rather icy underfoot. The highest temperature all day may have been a little below freezing. At least it helps when the weather makes you want to be indoors anyway.

Monday, 6 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 6 to 12 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average 2 to 3 deg above normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 50 to 75 per cent of normal values.
-- Sunshine will average near normal.

FORECASTS

TODAY will be a bright and breezy day with passing showers, not very frequent but in isolated instances briefly heavy with some risk of thunder. Highs 12 to 14 C and winds southwest 40 to 70 km/hr.

TONIGHT will bring some clear intervals and rather cool overnight lows of 1 to 4 C with patchy ground frost possible.

TUESDAY will be sunny with cloudy intervals, a southerly breeze will cool the south coast and warmest readings will be well inland and further north, where 14 to 16 C is possible.

WEDNESDAY will bring some filtered sunshine through higher cloud layers, and relatively warm again with morning lows 2 to 6 C and afternoon highs 14 to 18 C.

THURSDAY will be partly cloudy and warm inland, where highs could reach 18 to 20 C. Some chance of sea fog near south coast and a slightly cooling breeze for eastern counties. Patchy rain appears likely to reach west Munster by later in the day.

FRIDAY will probably be unsettled although guidance begins to become rather disorganized past this time, highs most likely around 15 C. At least some rain is likely, but it could be concentrated in a few places in the south and west and rather hit or miss elsewhere.

The Easter weekend outlook is quite uncertain given the spread in guidance, some suggestions of persistent cloud and some rain, other guidance favours a clearing trend and a return to warmth by Sunday or Monday. Will follow how this evolves and give you my best guess tomorrow, right now it seems to be quite a toss up. Temperatures would be dependent on sunshine but if cloudy, would be near 14 C, if some sun breaks through, closer to 18 C.

My local weather has remained unseasonably cold, as we're on the outer margins of a very extensive cold air mass covering most of Canada at this point. That strong high in the arctic that I mentioned has extended a ridge south into the prairies and northern plains states and brought a return to full-on winter weather there. It's not quite that bad here but at my elevation it is barely above freezing in the daytime with a bit of light snow at times. Valley areas are milder and out on the west coast it was sunny and closer to 10 C.

Wednesday, 8 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 8 to 14 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average about 1 to 2 deg above normal, considerably warmer than that at first, then below average by end of the interval, it all averages out to about +1.5 deg.

-- Rainfall will average 50 to 75 per cent of normal, the amount has been scaled down a bit as guidance indicates less rainfall potential for the one wet day we were expecting, Sunday, not looking quite that unsettled now.

-- Sunshine will average near normal, with a cloudy interval from about Saturday to mid-day Monday, more generous sunshine before and after that.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be sunny with high cloud tending to get a little thicker by afternoon in western counties. Once again, rather warm except near some coasts in a light southeast breeze. Highs 15 to 19 C inland, 12 to 14 C near some coasts. There is a slight risk of showers brushing by Donegal and northwest Mayo coasts, amounts trace to 2 mm generally in that corner of the country, but it should remain dry for most.

TONIGHT will be partly cloudy, hazy with lows 3 to 7 C. Some fog or mist patches are likely after midnight.

THURSDAY will be partly cloudy and warm in most places, with the chance of showers in a few parts of the northwest. Morning lows 3 to 7 C and afternoon highs 15 to 19 C, except closer to 13 C near some coasts.

FRIDAY will see somewhat cloudier skies, although some higher risk of showers, it may hold dry in parts of the east, with lows 4 to 7 C and highs near 16 C.

SATURDAY will become cloudier still with a greater threat of showers developing, at least in parts of the south, west and northwest, with lows near 8 C and highs near 15 C.

The prospects for Easter SUNDAY have improved slightly, still expecting some showers and a drop in temperatures, but perhaps not quite as unsettled as earlier thought, highs 10 to 13 C.

After that, a slow clearing trend on MONDAY should return sunshine by afternoon from north to south, rather cool with highs 11 to 14 C. Tuesday should be a fairly decent day with highs around 16 C, then possibly another unsettled spell to follow that, but I don't have much confidence in longer term guidance in this sort of blocking pattern where a slight shift can mean a big change in timing (since everything moves rather slowly during a blocking episode).

If you thought the Moon looked full last night, you were right, it was exactly full around 0338h IST (0238 UTC). I have a view of it here now from my office window (looking south), after a nice sunny day with a high near 11 C.

Friday, 10 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 10 to 16 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average about 1.5 deg above normal, in fact higher than that at first and also perhaps near the end of this interval, while dropping slightly below average Sunday and Monday.

-- Rainfall now looking a bit more robust on Sunday, so 75 to 100 per cent of normal can be expected, almost all of it on Sunday except in a few parts of the west where small additional amounts will begin today.

-- Sunshine will probably work out near average despite a lot of cloud from mid-day Saturday to mid-day Monday.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be cloudy with sunny breaks developing, away from a cloudier west coast where some light showers may persist. Staying quite warm with highs 17 to 20 C. Also a touch more humid today.

TONIGHT will be mostly cloudy and mild with lows of 7 to 10 C.

SATURDAY will be partly cloudy and warm, a few showers developing in the west finally beginning to make some progress east by late in the day, highs 17 to 20 C.

EASTER SUNDAY continues to look like a wet day for most places, except that now there are some indications of the rain being more persistent and lasting into the evening. Heavier amounts now expected to be throughout the inland south, midlands, and east inland from the coast although variations for drier areas not that great, 20-30 mm possible in wetter regions and 15 mm on average elsewhere. Temperatures will be stuck near 10 C in this rainfall but could edge up a few degrees any place that sees any breaks in the overcast.

MONDAY will experience fairly rapid clearing from north to south during the early morning hours (north) to late morning (south). A bright sunny afternoon should follow but it will be chilly in a moderate east-northeast wind of 40 to 60 km/hr. Lows near 7 C and highs 10 to 13 C.

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY will probably revert to this week's warmth fairly quickly as much milder air will be already in place over top of the shallow cold layer on Monday, and should work its way down to the surface by Tuesday late morning, so expect highs back into the 15 to 18 C range at least, with nights near 5 C after one chilly night (Monday night) where scattered frost may occur (lows -2 to +3 C).

The current indications are that only a minor breakdown of next week's renewed fine weather will arrive on Thursday with scattered showers but not that organized, with a mild southeast flow continuing for a few more days, possibly to be replaced by a colder easterly push around the end of the weekend (18th-19th) then a more unsettled pattern to follow -- would not necessarily expect the month overall to finish dry despite this dry start.

My local weather was sunny and warm also on Thursday, highs near 15 C outside here and 20 C reported from the nearby valley weather stations.

Sunday, 12 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


Just a brief blog format update today as there are no significant changes until perhaps Friday of next week in the outlook. And first of all, best wishes to you and yours during these unusual times, we'll muddle through this together ...

Today will unfortunately see the end of the warm spell and with that, some significant rainfall is moving into the south central counties. Latest guidance suggests it may not affect the north as strongly, but almost every place in Ireland can expect at least 5 mm of rain and some parts of the inland south can expect 20 mm by end of the daylight hours. Temperatures will not move up much from where you find them now, 8 to 11 degrees, but if any particular location does break into a brief sunny spell then temperatures could get back up to about 14 C. This does not seem likely except perhaps near the west coast later in the afternoon.

Tomorrow will see rapid clearing from north to south and it may be sunny from quite early on in most places, possibly about 9-10 a.m. before clearing the south coast. It will be a somewhat cooler day than you enjoyed last week, with highs around 11 to 13 C. A rather brisk east to northeast wind will set in overnight and persist during Monday. The clear skies will last overnight permitting some frost to form inland, with lows Monday night and early Tuesday around -2 to +3 C.

By Tuesday, that wind will be down to a slight breeze and warmer air that will be overspreading the new high pressure area will have its chance to work down to the surface. That may take part of Tuesday to complete, so temperatures may be a bit variable from place to place especially early on, however by afternoon it could be as warm as 16 C in parts of the west, a bit cooler in Leinster and the south coast due to the slight onshore breeze. Wednesday will be a similar day if perhaps a degree or two milder. Hazy sunshine should continue after any morning fog burns off.

Thursday will see some isolated showers, mainly over parts of Munster and Connacht, and it will stay fairly warm at 15 to 17 C. Friday could see a bit more organized shower activity and highs 14 to 16 C. The following weekend breaks back into the drier and milder portion of this blocked southeasterly flow.

In these blocking patterns, you can't really trust the computer models to give more than tentative guidance on how long the blocks remain in place and how they break down eventually, but usually it's about two or three weeks before things really change back to a more normal pattern in these April or early May blocks. And often there's a bout of heavy rainfall to mark the transition. This rain we're seeing today will not break the pattern, it slipped in when one high faded and another one is still waiting its turn to move south. But it should be long gone by about midnight.

My local weather stayed fair with mostly sunny skies but it was a lot cooler here than previous days as we got into the outer edges of a cold arctic high moving south over the prairies. The wind was swirling around between northeast and northwest and quite gusty at times raising clouds of dust from the grit that remains all over the place after the winter. And the temperature was only about 7 C for a high. This colder air did not push much further west than here and valleys between here and the coast remained quite warm, 17 to 20 C. We might gradually edge back into that as the arctic high pulls away from us over the next few days. Meanwhile a major severe weather outbreak is developing over the south central states and may affect the southeastern U.S. later today. While everyone misses the Masters golf tournament (now to be played in November), it should be mentioned that by moving the dates, they have avoided dealing with what could be one of the worst weather days to hit their region during the tournament weekend for quite some time.

Tuesday, 14 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 14 to 20 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average about 2 deg above normal in western counties, near normal central and 1 to 2 deg below average in the east.

-- Rainfall will average 25 to 50 per cent of normal values, highest values in the southwest, lower in the north.

-- Sunshine will average 25 to 50 per cent above normal values. By this point, that normal is around 4 hours per day, so we are expecting an average of five or six hours a day, sometimes more at first.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be sunny with some hazy conditions in the north due to increasing high clouds. The light southeast breezes will bring cooling sea breezes to parts of Leinster and Munster, and it will be warmest in western counties a little inland as the gradient won't totally prevent the west coast from some onshore breezes too. Highs inland (west/central) will reach 15 C, closer to 10 or 11 C near some coasts.

TONIGHT will be clear with scattered frost redeveloping, perhaps not as widespread as this morning (currently -3 C in some places, lows tonight more like -1 or -2). Some coastal areas will remain frost free (lows 2 to 4 C).

WEDNESDAY will be sunny with occasional high cloud, and more cooling sea breezes likely to form in east and south coast locations, perhaps a degree or two warmer in general, with highest readings about 17 C inland west.

THURSDAY will see only minor changes with some increase in cloud and an outbreak of scattered light rain showers in west Munster, possibly spreading into parts of south Leinster and Connacht before dying out. Lows 2 to 5 C and highs 14 to 17 C.

FRIDAY will also see partly cloudy skies and some outbreaks of showery light rain, mainly in the south and west, lows near 5 C and highs in the range of 12 to 16 C.

The WEEKEND will become more breezy as a stronger east wind develops. That is likely to push the chill from east coast sea breezes quite some distance into central counties before eventually similar warmer readings are found closer to the west coast, and also there may be more cloud than sunshine in this flow. Temperatures could be held down a few degrees in most places with readings generally between 12 and 15 C.

Next week is looking mainly dry and at times not quite as mild as somewhat colder air mixes in from the northeast. There won't be a sharp drop because of the ongoing sea breeze modification of this milder air mass, once a colder source region is tapped, that modification is less of an issue as the air is already the temperature of the ocean or sea environment itself. So would expect temperatures to stay near normal for most of the following week, 12 to 15 C but some nights may return to being slightly frosty inland. Still expecting a breakdown of this blocking near the end of April with eventually some heavier rainfall.

My local weather on Monday was sunny with a bit of higher cloud dimming the sunshine but it did warm up somewhat to around 15 C.

Thursday, 16 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for week of 16 to 22 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will vary from about 2 deg above normal in the west, to 0.5 to 1.5 deg below average in the east.
-- Rainfall will be rather slight in most places, 25% of normal may be reached in a few places.
-- Sunshine will continue to be at least average if not more generous at 25 per cent above normal.


FORECASTS

TODAY will see mostly sunny but hazy skies for most of the day with a gradual increase in cloud by afternoon, at least across Munster, south Leinster and parts of Connacht, where a few showers could result by end of the afternoon, dry elsewhere though, highs 14 to 17 C except 11 to 13 C near east coast.

TONIGHT will be partly cloudy with any lingering showers dying out, lows near 5 C.

FRIDAY will be partly cloudy with isolated showers, lows near 5 C and highs near 15 C, somewhat cooler again near east coast.

SATURDAY will be cloudy with a few sunny breaks, temperatures similar in the 13 to 16 C range. There is now a slight risk of showers developing once again, coverage expected to be rather spotty, east and north may see what little does develop.

SUNDAY will be partly cloudy with isolated showers again with highs once again near 15 C.

MONDAY and TUESDAY will continue similar to the weekend with highs perhaps a little warmer at 17 C in parts of the west, still the slight risk of showers but very little accumulation of rain expected.

By mid-week, there may be a slight cooling trend as winds start to pick up from a northeast direction. Since temperatures are normally rising at this time of year, a slightly cooler air mass may just result in a stationary temperature trend but one that edges below average as a result. So would look for more essentially dry and pleasant weather most of the remainder of April now, with temperatures mainly in the mid-teens except where cooled by sea breezes. A few days may approach 18-20 C but nights will remain a bit on the chilly side.

My local weather had a bit of everything, as shower clouds drifted by in a moderate southwest wind, and cold temperatures aloft meant that the heavier showers turned to snow pellets with some brief accumulations, but in the sunshine between showers it felt rather mild, maybe reaching 8 to 10 C. Unusual to see this combination, on south facing slopes you can find spring flowers and green grass, generally elsewhere there is still snow lying around in various depths between a few inches and almost a foot or so, and the local mountains are still a dazzling white when they appear in breaks in the cloud.

Saturday, 18 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 18 to 24 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average near normal in the west, and somewhat below normal in the east due to cooling sea breezes.
-- Rainfall will average 25 to 50 per cent of normal in the south, 10 to 25 per cent in the north where it begins later in the interval.
-- Sunshine will average 25 per cent below average, as considerable cloud is now expected most days despite dry weather.

FORECASTS

TODAY will be mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of light rain or drizzle, but only small amounts (2-4 mm at most), with some parts of Ulster remaining dry and seeing a little brighter conditions. Highs near 11 C east to 15 C west in light to moderate southeast breezes.

TONIGHT will continue mostly cloudy with further outbreaks of light rain in some central counties mainly, then misty with fog patches later. Mild with lows 8 to 11 C.

SUNDAY will be cloudy with a few sunny breaks, and isolated showers most concentrated in the south central counties and midlands. Moderate southeast winds and highs 12 to 16 C.

MONDAY will be cloudy with sunny intervals, shower activity quite isolated in parts of Munster, with lows near 7 C and highs 12 to 17 C.

TUESDAY will be partly cloudy with rather brisk easterly winds at times, lows near 6 C and highs 12 to 17 C.

From mid-week to the weekend of 25th-26th, continued generally dry and mild in east to northeast breezes, maintaining the regime of milder temperatures to the west, in the range of 13 to 18 C.

Most guidance is now favouring a breakdown to a westerly regime returning Atlantic frontal systems to the weather picture just around the end of the month but with signs of another blocking episode to follow in May, so perhaps the longer term general theme is dry and mild with occasional intervals of near average conditions -- not the most thrilling weather scenario for those forum members who enjoy an active weather pattern, but it is what it is.

My local weather saw a gradual increase in cloud as a weak frontal trough dropped down from the north, keeping the temperatures down a bit in the 12 to 14 C range. It has stayed dry so far but some wintry showers are on radar over the nearby high country.

Monday, 20 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


I feel like maybe this is a rerun of the movie Groundhog Day ... trends remain similar to what I've posted for several days now. Near normal temperatures running a bit warmer west than east. Mostly dry to near end but some guidance showing renewed Atlantic rainfalls at some point around next weekend (this is not yet a sure thing). Sunshine now improving again.

FORECASTS

TODAY will be sunny with cloudy intervals, and fairly warm away from the east coast, highs 15 to 19 C but could be held to 12-13 C in a few coastal areas. Moderate east winds at times.

TONIGHT will be mostly clear with lows 2 to 7 C.

TUESDAY will also be sunny with cloudy intervals and perhaps a degree or two warmer again, highs 16 to 20 C, held to 14 C near east coast.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY will likely continue this scenario with just a slight increase in cloudiness, perhaps becoming partly to mostly cloudy at times in the south coast counties, but essentially dry with temperatures in the same range as today again.

FRIDAY may see more cloud than sunshine and a more variable wind regime as the blocking could begin to break down gradually.

The outlook is rather uncertain because various models are handling the breakdown of blocking in much different ways, over the period starting next weekend and lasting into the last day or two of April. There seems to be a fairly good consensus developing for a return to more normal weather patterns with west to east movement of frontal systems for a time, then also hints fairly widespread of a renewed blocking signal after a few days of that westerly period; however, one or two models just continue to show blocking without interruption.

If it does break down, temperatures would probably fall most noticeably in western counties no longer enjoying the benefits of a land breeze, and rainfall would probably resume more forcefully across the north at first. In the return to any second wave of blocking, the moisture then brought into the region would be forced back on itself creating some heavier rainfalls in southeast winds, that most likely into the first week to ten days of May (still a while to go for that obviously).

My local weather has a groundhog day feel also, although we are not in an easterly block, just a continuing dry spell under high pressure nearby. The prevailing wind has been southerly here, bringing in fairly mild air from lower elevations of central Washington state which is almost a semi-desert in the summer and can get very warm, so even in this early part of the summer season if it gets to be 20-25 C down that way, we see 15-20 C readings in our valleys and 12-15 C up at my elevation (which is because I'm on a hill, not because I'm really really tall).

Wednesday, 22 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 22 to 28 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will average 1 to 2 deg above normal in most areas, but closer to normal values in northern and eastern counties.
-- Rainfall will average 50 to 75 per cent of normal values, much of this late in the interval.
-- Sunshine will average near normal as more cloud has crept back into the forecast.


FORECASTS

TODAY will see some sunshine through extensive high cloud that has spun off from the storm system located well to the southeast, and there is just enough of a southeast to east breeze to bring in some cooling sea breezes, so highs will likely range from 16 to 19 C in most areas but closer to 13 C right along the east coast and possibly near the south coast in some places.

TONIGHT will continue hazy with the higher cloud thickening to a full overcast across most regions, lows 5 to 8 C.

THURSDAY will be cloudy with a few brighter intervals, these more frequent in western and northern counties. There may be some outbreaks of light rain in Cork and adjacent parts of some counties in Munster. This could be just trace amounts in some places, to about 2 mm. Temperatures may be somewhat held down by the thicker cloud layers, in the 14 to 17 C range for most and near 12 C along some coasts.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY should see a return to partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the range of 15 to 18 C for most, still some onshore cooling sea breezes but now these are more likely on all coasts as the overall wind gradient turns almost calm under a very slack pressure gradient. Some isolated showers could form.

By SUNDAY, some guidance now shows a transient low forming near Ulster and heading southeast into Britain. This does not seem like a sure thing yet but if it forms, some showers are likely to end the dry spell in many areas with 5-10 mm potential. Temperatures would also be cut down to around 12 to 14 C. As mentioned, not a sure thing that the dry weather will actually come to an end then with some guidance less disruptive.

The split in guidance then applies to the outlook next week, which could become more unsettled for a time, as westerly flow resumes and some passing frontal systems bring rain and stronger winds from the southwest to west. Once again, there are models showing less disruption and almost a continuation of the dry spell, but it should be mentioned that the more reliable performers are in the unsettled camp on this disagreement. So I would lean in that direction for the outlook week to turn somewhat cooler (except where this week has cooling sea breezes, as that will not be a factor in an Atlantic regime) with occasional showers.

My local weather warmed up to produce the warmest day of the year so far, with some sunshine between frequent passing clouds, the local high was 21 C and it reached 25 C in the valleys. Despite that you can still see snow both in the nearby woods and up on the surrounding hilltops, so that was strange, along with the deserted nature of our streets.

Friday, 24 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 24 to 30 April, 2020

-- Temperatures will be near normal with a decreasing trend from above normal at first, to below normal, both by about 2 deg.
-- Rainfall will eventually start to mount up to near normal values, but much of this will be towards the end of the week (and month).
-- Sunshine will be generally below average, by 25 to 40 per cent, with a cloudier theme next week.


FORECASTS

TODAY will be partly cloudy to overcast, with occasional showers developing in parts of Munster and Connacht, isolated showers possible in other areas too, but most likely in counties around Cork, Tipps and Limerick into Clare and Galway later in the day. Amounts of 3 to 7 mm of rain are possible there. Highs around 18 C before the showers arrive, held down to about 14 C in some coastal areas.

TONIGHT will be mostly cloudy at first, remnant showers dying out, then misty as cloud clears away to allow some fog to form. Lows will drop to about 5 to 8 C.

SATURDAY will also be partly cloudy with a few isolated showers, the last of the warm(ish) days with highs 16 to 19 C.

SUNDAY will be quite a bit cooler and fresher with moderate northwest winds at times, and a few showers feeding in from the Atlantic. Morning lows near 5 C and afternoon highs near 13 C.

MONDAY and TUESDAY will be cool and showery with highs only 12 to 14 C.

WEDNESDAY to FRIDAY of next week are currently looking quite unsettled with significant rainfalls likely, and moderate southwest winds at times, highs in the 14 to 16 C range.

The further outlook is also unsettled and some heavier rainfalls could develop as the upper circulation slackens again and warmer air tries to move back to the west, but this time encountering resistance from the cooler Atlantic air brought in during the breakdown of the blocking.

My local weather on Thursday was overcast with a few breaks, and passing showers that mostly went by to our north, highs around 14 C.

Sunday, 26 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 26 April to 2 May, 2020

-- Temperatures will average between 1.0 deg below normal and near normal values.
-- Rainfall will begin to return to the weather picture more generally and by end of this week some parts of the south and west could see as much as 25 to 50 per cent above normal values, closer to normal in the north and east.
-- Sunshine will begin to fade out of the picture but there should be enough breaks in the cloud to allow near normal amounts in some places, to about 25% below average in general.

FORECASTS

TODAY will be partly to mostly cloudy with isolated showers developing in central counties and spreading further south by afternoon. Feeling cooler and fresher in most areas, with a slight northwest breeze. It may stay fairly warm in some parts of the south and east with highs of 15 or 16 C. Further north, expect highs of 12 to 14 C.

TONIGHT will be mostly cloudy with some clearing towards morning, any remnant showers ending then misty with fog patches, lows 2 to 7 C.

MONDAY will be partly to mostly cloudy with some isolated showers at times, rather cool with lows 2 to 7 C and highs 13 to 16 C.

TUESDAY will be partly to mostly cloudy with showers, lows 1 to 6 C and highs 12 to 15 C.

WEDNESDAY will bring a more substantial rainfall from the south, spreading gradually north later in the day, rather cool with lows 2 to 5 C and highs 12 to 15 C.

THURSDAY will see further intervals of rain becoming showery later, with highs near 14 C.

The OUTLOOK calls for another interval of rain later in the week lasting into part of the weekend of 2-3 May. This may turn fairly heavy in some places. The following week then looks rather unsettled in general with temperatures near normal, although there may be a few bursts of warmer temperatures moving into nearby parts of Britain; this could turn some of the rainfall thundery in the southeast.

My local weather on Saturday was breezy with passing showers that included some thunder and lightning around 6 p.m., and a brief heavy downpour with hail and gusty winds. The high was around 15 C.

Tuesday, 28 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 28 April to 4 May 2020

-- Temperatures will average slightly below normal values by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees.
-- Rainfall will add up to at least normal amounts and could exceed normal by 25 per cent in the south.
-- Sunshine will only be about half to two thirds of the normal amount.


FORECASTS

TODAY will feature some sunny intervals with increasing cloudiness, and an outbreak of showers mainly over western and south central counties later today. Highs 13 to 16 C.

TONIGHT will become overcast with rain spreading into Munster, lows 7 to 10 C.

WEDNESDAY will see the rain moving steadily north and most areas will eventually have 10-20 mm amounts, heavier inland south where there could be some thunder at times. Highs only about 12 C in the rain.

THURSDAY will bring another bout of rain in the south and east but it may remain largely dry further north, although cool, with temperatures steady in the 8 to 12 C range except where sunshine is more persistent (14 C possible there).

FRIDAY will be partly to mostly cloudy with a few scattered showers and possible thundershowers, lows near 5 C and highs near 15 C.

SATURDAY will be partly cloudy with isolated showers, highs near 16 C.

SUNDAY will bring a return to steady rainfalls of 10-20 mm possibly not until later in the day, lasting into Monday morning, with temperatures throughout near 12 C.

The following week could see some warmer and settled conditions briefly, before another unsettled interval with near average temperatures sets in later in the week.

My local weather on Monday was overcast with light rain at times, and highs around 12 C.

Thursday, 30 April, 2020

Forecasts for Ireland


TRENDS for the week of 30 April to 6 May 2020

-- Temperatures will average near normal values and possibly a bit above in some parts of the west.
-- Rainfall will average about 50% of normal values; there seems to be a trend towards a drier outcome developing.
-- Sunshine will average at least normal and perhaps up to 25% above normal.


FORECASTS

TODAY will bring some bands of showery rain moving through central towards eastern counties this morning, but this activity will weaken and partly cloudy skies will spread in from the west. Moderate northwest breezes at times will make it feel rather cool, highs 13 to 15 C.

TONIGHT will bring partial clearing, the slight risk of frost in a few spots, and lows -1 to +4 C.

FRIDAY will be partly cloudy with just isolated showers, and highs near 14 or 15 C.

SATURDAY will be sunny with cloudy intervals, still some chance of an isolated shower but most places dry, lows -1 to +4 C and highs about 15 or 16 C.

SUNDAY the expected showery frontal system now looks quite weak on whatever guidance still supports it at all, and there are some indications now that it won't push in at all. So the best bet seems to be partly to mostly cloudy with sunny breaks more frequent inland central to northern counties, isolated showers can't be ruled out, lows near 5 C and highs near 15 C.

MONDAY is also somewhat uncertain with some guidance bringing in some rain from the south, but again, no absolute certainty on that, so could be a dry day in at least some central and northern regions with the south more at risk of seeing cloud and some rain, highs around 15 or 16 C.

The OUTLOOK is of course rather uncertain since there is already a weak steering environment setting in for the medium range, and the best bet seems to be dry and mild for most of the week with colder air trying to push in from the northeast and perhaps eventually succeeding by end of next week or at least some time in mid-May. I do have the feeling that the month will be somewhat "backward" with the usual trend of rising temperatures perhaps giving way to either a reversal of that form, or at least steady-state temperatures taking the trend from above to below average. So the long range forecast for May is for near normal temperatures overall, a decreasing trend at least relative to normal if not absolutely, and near normal rainfall with perhaps a bit more than average in some areas.

My local weather was partly to mostly cloudy with brief showers and highs near 14 C.