St Swithin’s Day rain casts cloud over summer

LEGEND suggests that yesterday’s rain will lead to downpours for the next 40 days, potentially ruining the rest of July and August.

Yesterday was St Swithin’s Day, and according to the 9th-century tale, if it rains on the saint’s day it will continue for the next 40 days, despite July 15 being in the middle of summer.

The tradition stems from the tale that when the remains of Swithin, a Saxon bishop, were removed from his preferred burial place outside Winchester Cathedral, it led to 40 days of continuous rain and storms.

Between 2mm and 4mm of rain fell yesterday, with Donegal and Mayo recording the highest levels, while Cork and Waterford received the lowest at1mm.

Met Éireann forecaster Vincent O’Shea warned that heavier rain is expected.

“There will be no summer weather next week. It will remain unsettled and blustery, with cooler temperatures than normal. It is expected to shower every day, with long spells of rain,” he said.

This bad news for sun-lovers follows Dublin Airport, Shannon, Belmullet and Roches Point recording their coldest June temperatures since 1972.

Forecasters say this weekend will bring widespread rain and temperatures ranging from a peak of 14C to a low of 5C. Showers will be heaviest today and most frequent across Ulster, Connacht and west Munster, with the risk of thunder.

Tomorrow is expected to be cool, showery and rather windy, along with the risk of thunder. However, some sunny spells are expected, with Leinster getting the best of the drier, brighter weather.

Maximum temperatures for the weekend will range from 14 to 17 degrees.

East Cork and Waterford are expected to have dry spells throughout the weekend, with some scattered showers.