TODAY: At this hour (0800h) heaviest rainfalls have shifted to Connacht
and west Ulster as a wave formed overnight in the southwest flow,
rainfall rates of about 5 mm an hour can be expected for a few more
hours there with rapid increases in local stream flows. For the time
being, Munster seems to be into a drier portion of this system after
overnight rainfalls of 15-25 mm, hopefully there will be a relative lull
in the rainfall there as there isn't a lot showing on satellite imagery
for the immediate future, however moderate rainfall bursts will
probably resume either this afternoon or evening if there is in fact a
break for the south. It will get quite mild this afternoon, reaching
12-14 C, and the strong southerly winds will probably moderate slightly
although staying in the 50-80 km/hr range when they do (currently some
gusts to 100-110 km/hr in exposed areas).
TONIGHT: Some further intervals of rain with 10-15 mm potential, staying
mild with lows 7 to 9 C, south to southwest winds at 50 to 80 km/hr.
WEDNESDAY ... some rain will continue in the morning in parts of the
east while other regions begin to dry out, with partly cloudy skies and
more isolated outbreaks of light rain possible later, in moderate
southwest winds, highs around 10 C.
THURSDAY ... Partly cloudy, breezy, cool with passing showers, some
locally heavy with hail or thunder (western counties most likely to see
these). Lows near 4 C and highs near 10 C.
FRIDAY ... Sunny intervals, light winds. Lows near 2 C and highs near 10 C.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK ... Partly cloudy with sunny spells likely, light winds,
a return to frosts at night for some. Lows around -2 to +2 C and highs 8
to 10 C.
FURTHER OUTLOOK ... Near average and becoming a bit more unsettled by
middle of first week of March although not too active a pattern,
temperatures near 10 C daytime hours.
Peter O'Donnell for IWO.