Heavy rain and gales set to batter country

The country will be hit by further gales and heavy sometimes thundery showers again today and in places along the southern and western coasts. Up to 90mm of rain may fall before the weekend is over.

Met Éireann issued a weather alert yesterday as a series of fronts started to batter the country and the outlook is for more of the same for the next two days, with the only saving grace that it will stay mild for the time of year. Southerly gales will continue again today bringing with them rain bands and the increased possibility of thundery downpours which could lead to localised flooding.

However, in between the showers there will be some sunny spells and temperatures will range in the mid-afternoon to anything between 15 and 18 degrees.

Forecasters predict the rain will spread further eastwards tomorrow.

Strong and blustery winds will remain a feature while the wind will veer from the south to a westerly direction and afternoon temperatures will fall a little to somewhere between 13 and 15 degrees.

As night falls the showers will begin to become less frequent and while clear spells will begin to develop it will remain very windy.

The remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo, which was expected to batter Bermuda last night, are expected to hit Ireland by late Monday.

Western counties will be first to get the heavy rain brought in by the dying hurricane.

It will start dry and bright in the east on Monday, but the front will gradually move across the country, bringing with it very strong westerly winds and the possibility of very heavy rain in places, which could again lead to the risk of spot flooding.

The daytime temperatures are likely to be similar to Sunday.

By Tuesday morning the weather will start to impact more on northern counties as heavy showers come in on very strong northwesterly gales.

The rest of the country will remain mainly dry, but it will be much colder with average daytime temperatures of 9-12 degrees.

Met Éireann says things will begin to improve by Wednesday when the persistent rain will give way to occasional showers, although some could be heavy in places.

The winds will ease and temperatures will remain similar to Tuesday’s.