Umbrellas ready as rain set to return
For the past fortnight Ireland has been basking in conditions to rival sun spots like the French Riviera, the Algarve and Athens.
In the past 48 hours temperatures in Munster have exceeded parts of Portugal and northern Spain, and have been at least five degrees hotter than the average in France.
However, despite the beautiful blue skies continuing over the country this morning, sun worshippers have been warned that umbrellas and rain-jackets instead of shorts and flip-flops are set to make a return.
Met Éireann has warned that despite parts of Ireland suddenly having more than a passing resemblance to the best weather locations Europe has to offer, the surge in temperatures will not last.
And while the nation may be prepared to shoot the messenger in order to avoid the bad news, meteorologist Jim O’Brien said the reality is that Ireland’s fleeting summer weather should be enjoyed for the rarity it is.
“To be honest, Monday was the last of the good days,” Mr O Brien explained.
“Today will be mainly cloudy across the country, with outbreaks of rain developing along the western coasts and then further inland tomorrow night. Temperatures on Tuesday will also be down slightly, more towards 18-20 degrees celsius, and it’s likely to be a bit cooler again on Wednesday.”
He added that while the sudden surge in temperatures over recent weeks has allowed Ireland to bask in a much-needed summer warm snap, “it is not unusual to have a good spell of weather, particularly around exam time”.
The predicted change in weather this week is likely to bring an end to conditions similar to those in some of Europe’s sunniest destinations in recent weeks.
Since the start of June, temperatures in Ireland have consistently been in the high teens to low 20s, reaching the mid to high 20s in some parts of Carlow and Kilkenny earlier in the month.
The temperatures were just below locations like Malaga (mid to high 20s), Rome (mid-20s), the French Riviera (low 20s) and Athens (high 20s).
They also came as parts of the Mediterranean suffered flash floods and conditions more associated with Ireland, with heavy rainfall in south-east France last week devastating the area and forcing 1,200 people to spend last Tuesday night in shelters.
Thankfully, those treacherous conditions have since subsided.
But as more traditional weather for much of continental Europe re-appears, a similar return to normality in Ireland means that these sunny summer moments should be enjoyed while they last.
