ALERT: Heavy rain and flood risk to dampen Easter weekend across Ireland
Irish weather forecast from Met Éireann for Easter weekend is not good
After a cold and calm start to Thursday, Ireland is set to plunge into a spell of increasingly unsettled weather, with heavy rain, potential flooding, and strong winds forecast heading into the Easter weekend, according to Met Éireann.
Thursday morning will offer a brief window of respite — cold, bright, and mostly dry, aside from a few isolated showers. But don’t be fooled by the early calm.
By midday, cloud will begin to build from the southwest, and showers will grow heavier and more frequent, spreading northwards through the afternoon.
Rain will move into the southwest by early evening, marking the beginning of a more volatile phase of weather. Temperatures will hover between 9 and 13 degrees with light to moderate southeasterly winds.
Thursday night is when things take a turn. Rain will intensify and spread nationwide from the south, turning heavy in places with the risk of localised flooding.
Winds will strengthen overnight as well, with light easterlies freshening to brisk breezes in many areas. Temperatures will dip to between 4 and 8 degrees.
Good Friday will be anything but calm. Widespread, persistent rain — heavy at times — is expected across much of the country, particularly in the south and east, where the risk of flooding will be highest.
Temperatures will reach between 10 and 13 degrees, but fresh to strong southeasterly winds will make conditions feel cooler, especially along exposed coasts.
The stormy pattern will begin to ease by Friday night, with rain breaking into patchier outbreaks and winds shifting westerly.
The weekend will start off on a dull note Saturday, with lingering drizzle and cloud cover, but brighter spells are expected to develop later in the day.
Easter Sunday is shaping up to be the best of the bunch, with drier conditions, some sunshine — especially in the east — and highs of 11 to 16 degrees. While a few showers may pop up, it’s currently the most promising day for outdoor plans.
Looking into next week, forecasters warn the unsettled trend isn’t done yet, with more rain and showers likely in the early days of the week.
In short: enjoy the brief brightness while it lasts — Ireland is in for a soaking before the Easter sun makes a (tentative) appearance.