Ash plume over Ireland ‘could take a week to disperse’

FORECASTERS warned last night that it could be a week before enough rain hits Ireland to break up the volcanic ash plume drifting from Iceland.

Met Éireann said settled and dry weather meant the huge cloud, which has forced the closure of Irish airspace, could cause even more travel misery.

“It really depends how long the volcano keeps spewing things up into the air, but I feel it will be something we’ll continue to have to be concerned with for the next two or three days,” said head of forecasting Gerald Fleming.

It is understood the ash cloud has formed between 6km and 11km in theatmosphere and is continuing to drift over the Irish east coast.

“I think it will be quite slow to disperse at the level where the plume is,” Mr Fleming said.

“The winds are stronger than they are at the surface so that will move it along, but unfortunately it is moving it in our direction.”

Ash in the atmosphere is also expected to produce unusual sunsets and sunrises as the sun’s rays are scattered by the particles and pieces of volcanic glass.

Mr Fleming said rain would help scatter the ash cloud’s particles – but predicted the country may not see a drop until next week.

“Even for it to be dispersed by wind and rain takes time,” he added.

“A good stiff westerly wind would help disperse it over eastern Europe butthat’s not the weather we have at the moment.”

Mr Fleming said he did not think the current ash plume would have a lasting impact on Ireland’s climate.

“I don’t think there are implications for long-term weather,” he said.

“And I don’t think the dust will appear at ground level.

“It is up at quite high levels and it doesn’t tend to come down to the surface unless there’s rain,” he said