Long Range Weather Forecast For Ireland (17 February 2021)

 

TRENDS for the week of 17 to 23 Feb 2021 --

-- Temperatures will average 1 to 2 deg above normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 25 to 50 per cent of normal, heaviest in the southwest.
-- Sunshine will average near normal values.


FORECASTS

TONIGHT will be windy with rain heavy at times, southerly gales 70-100 km/hr developing at least over some parts of the south and east, depending on the track of a low expected to cross some parts of Ireland tonight. Further west, it's less likely to be windy until late overnight after the low has cleared through to the north, then westerly winds of 40 to 70 km/hr will develop. Winds veering to southwest further east towards morning. About 15-25 mm of rain is likely in many areas, and it could turn to sleet over higher parts of west Munster and Connacht, as temperatures there will drop off to around 2 C, while staying milder in the east at 7-9 C.

THURSDAY will be cool and breezy with passing showers, some heavy with hail or thunder especially over parts of Connacht and west Ulster. Southwest winds 50 to 80 km/hr, highs 7 to 9 C.

FRIDAY will become windy with rain heavy at times, and temperatures will peak at around 12 C mid-day before dropping back slightly, winds south to southwest 70 to 110 km/hr, and 20-40 mm rainfalls possible (heavier in the hilly regions of south and west).

SATURDAY the rain will begin to taper off to showers during the morning and there could be partial clearing later, with temperatures between 8 and 10 C in moderate southwesterly winds.

SUNDAY will be partly cloudy with isolated showers and highs near 9 C.

OUTLOOK ... Monday will probably be a bit cooler again (7-9 C) with some rain at times, then milder with some rain expected for Tuesday (10-12 C) before a gradual cooling trend sets in that brings temperatures down to average or even slightly below average values late in the month (6-8 C), as the flow turns westerly and sometimes a bit northwesterly. This period will be generally a bit drier with only small amounts of precipitation.

Peter O'Donnell for IWO