Hurricane Gabrielle won't impact Ireland as country set for 'crisp spells' of sunshine

Hurricane Gabrielle. Picture: US National Hurricane Center

Hurricane Gabrielle has been strengthening off the coast of Bermuda and was moving in a northeasterly direction overnight. 

The US National Hurricane Center said on Monday that Gabrielle has intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 220km/h.

However, the hurricane is expected to gradually weaken on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But is Ireland expected to be impacted by the hurricane? No, according to Met Éireann. 

The forecaster said: "Hurricane Gabrielle will be tracking across the Atlantic this week and transition into an extratropical storm later in the week. 

"It’s not expected to directly impact Ireland as it’s expected to track further south towards Iberia."

In a more general weather update, Met Éireann says the country will see a dry day on Tuesday "with crisp spells of autumn sunshine". It will be a little cloudier at times near eastern coasts with the chance of a light shower.

Tuesday night will continue the dry spells, with long, clear stretches expected. Met Éireann has said it will be cold with temperatures falling to lows of 2C. 

It will again be dry on Wednesday, "with sunny spells and just light southerly breezes".

"During the evening, thicker cloud will begin to move in from the west with more moderate southerly winds and with some outbreaks of rain possible before nightfall," Met Éireann said. 

Drizzle will affect west and northwest counties on Wednesday night but it will be dry and mostly clear elsewhere. Met Éireann says it will be "rather chilly" with lowest temperatures of 5C.

Thursday will see a dry day with sunny spells for most areas, but cloudier skies and patchy light rain and drizzle will affect west and northwest counties early on.

Heading into Friday and the weekend, there is some uncertainty, but "wet and rather windy or conditions may push in off the Atlantic". The early indications for Saturday and Sunday are that there will be scattered outbreaks of rain but some long dry spells each day too.

"Temperatures will generally reach the mid-teens by days with less cool nights," Met Éireann said. 

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