There is some good news this morning - the very heavy and possibly thundery rain fronts due to cross over Ireland in a series of soggy blows over the coming days may miss Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
But this long-awaited All Ireland weekend will come in the middle of yet another extended stretch of cool, wet and very unsettled weather, the kind that has made the Summer of 2024 a major washout so far.
And the long-range forecast from Met Eireann this morning warns that any hopes of sustained sunshine in Cork and across most of the rest of Ireland will need to be put on hold until the very final days of July at least, and probably August at this stage.
It's been around 12 hours of very heavy showers across the South West this morning and while the latest rain front should start to clear away to the East as today goes on, the rain will be back with a vengeance tomorrow evening and into Saturday.
The full forecast from Met Eireann for Munster this morning looks like:
TODAY - Thursday 18th July
Today will start off cloudy across Munster with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in most areas. Brighter weather will develop in the west later this morning and will extend eastwards this afternoon and evening. Co. Waterford will stay mostly cloudy and damp all day. Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees with light to moderate southerly breezes.
TONIGHT
Tonight will be mainly dry with clear spells. A few patches of mist or fog may develop, especially near the south coast. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees, coldest in the west with light variable breezes.
TOMORROW - Friday 19th July
Friday morning will be mainly dry with a fair amount of cloud and some bright or sunny spells. Cloud will gradually increase. Rain will develop on the west coast by early evening and will spread further inland. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees, warmest in the east and northeast with moderate southerly winds.
National Outlook
OVERVIEW: Generally unsettled with rain or showers at times. Daytime temperatures will range from about 16 to 22 degrees.
Friday night will be cloudy with rain becoming widespread and turning heavy at times. It will be mild and humid with temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees and mostly light southwesterly or variable winds.
Saturday morning will be wet with rain in most areas, heavy at times with spot flooding possible. Rain will gradually clear eastwards through the afternoon and evening with sunny spells and a few showers following. Highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees with light southerly breezes becoming northwesterly as rain clears and freshening. Saturday night will be cooler and fresher with clear spells and a few showers in the west. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with light to moderate northwest breezes.
Sunday will start off mainly dry. However, rain will develop in the west during the morning and then spread eastwards to all areas through the afternoon and evening. It will gradually clear overnight with scattered showers following. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly winds.
Monday will be a bright, fresh day with sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees with moderate to fresh west to northwest winds.
At the moment, Tuesday looks like being mainly dry with sunny spells and highs of 17 to 20 degrees.
However, more rain is expected to move in from the west on Wednesday.
