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| Bertha as seen in this infrared satellite image at 1pm today. |
The remnants of ex-Hurricane Bertha are hurtling across The Atlantic at present with the greatest risk for Ireland associated with the system's rain making capacity.
Latest estimates from the GFS forecasting model suggest that the system could dump as much as 4 inches of rain over the southwest of Ireland between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon as it tracks over the south of the country.
Other computer forecasting models such as the ECM meanwhile, suggest that the system will track further south over southwest England but could still bring sizeable rainfall totals to coastal counties of Munster and Leinster. Rainfall totals could range between 1 and 2 inches over the 24 hour period from late Saturday to late Sunday.
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| Rainfall totals up to Monday morning. Image http://www.weatheronline.co.uk |
What is clear is that the system that briefly achieved hurricane status off the US East coast earlier this week will have an impact on our weather later this weekend and into early next week.
Winds throughout the period will be initially moderate to fresh west to northwesterly on Sunday and could turn touch gale force 8 for a time. Winds will remain moderate west to northwesterly on Monday and Tuesday before easing midweek.
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| The most likely track of Bertha (circled) as seen from space at 12pm. Image EUMETSAT |
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| The system had originally been forecast by the US National Weather Service to track over Ireland. Image NOAA |
Story by Mark Dunphy