Thunderstorms to batter Ireland with weather warnings likely amid brutal forecast

There is no sign of a return to heatwave weather in Ireland amid a brutal forecast for thunderstorms, strong winds and rain this week.

The early warning for thunderstorm this week has come from Cathal Nolan at Ireland's Weather Channel who says Friday looks like being an atrocious day on the weather front.

He said: "On Friday, a short wave trough is expected to develop on the back of a small area of low pressure to the south of Ireland. Favourable wind shear, surface heating and enhanced instability will lead to the development of locally heavy thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and evening.

"Where these storms occur they will be slow moving with a risk of some intense rainfall, lightning and hail. Rainfall totals of between 30-45 mm are possible within the space of an hour, leading to a risk of localised flooding, especially across areas of North Leinster and East Ulster.

"The counties most likely to be included in our weather warnings are Meath, Louth, Westmeath, Offaly, Dublin, Kildare, Down, Antrim, Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan. Here Status Yellow thunderstorm warnings are likely to be issued tomorrow [Thursday] here on Ireland's Weather Channel.

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"At Ireland's Weather Channel we believe severe weather and it’s associated risks should be communicated well in advance of the event itself, with associated weather warnings being delivered well before the event commences so that people can be better prepared," Cathal concluded.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann is forecasting an unsettled week but has not yet mentioned possible thunderstorm activity. Their outlook is for "quite unsettled weather with rain or showers, cool for the time of year."

They say "tonight [Wednesday] will be breezy with a mix of clear spells and scattered showers, the showers most frequent in the north and west. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees in a moderate southwest wind, but winds will remain strong along coasts.

"A blustery day with a mix of sunshine and showers" is predicted for Thursday. Met Éireann adds that "cloud will increase in the southwest through the afternoon, bringing some light rain or drizzle here by early evening. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in a moderate to fresh and gusty westerly wind, but winds will be strong at times along coasts and very strong along northern coasts.

"Cloudy with rain or drizzle in the south, turning heavy at times [on Thursday night]. Clearer with isolated showers elsewhere, mainly in Ulster. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees with winds easing light southerly overnight.

"Rain will clear from southern areas during Friday morning and will be followed by scattered showers, some turning heavy. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees with a light to moderate southwest to west wind.

"Mostly dry with clear spells, although some showers will continue in the north and west. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with a light westerly wind," according to Met Éireann.

Looking at the weekend, they say Saturday will be "a mostly dry morning with sunny spells, although there will be some showers in the north and west and these will extend to other areas through the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees with a light to moderate westerly wind.

"A mix of clear spells and scattered showers [Saturday night]. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with a light to moderate southwesterly wind.

"Sunny spells and scattered showers again on Sunday. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees in a light southwest to west wind."