A big threat is growing to the west of Ireland that could— depending on how it tracks over the next 48 hours—cause severe problems going into the weekend.
The latest update on a weather system developing out in the Atlantic - which is likely to be first named story of the winter - Storm Darragh - is that it will bring a 'powerful jet stream change' over the coming days with Yellow weather warnings already in place in the UK.
These are for Scotland at the moment - snow and strong galeforce winds - but Wales and the rest of the UK are also on alert and warnings are likely here in Ireland too, as temps plunge to around freezing overnight and into low single digits by Saturday.
The latest this lunchtime is for strong galeforce winds will take hold this week as a series of weather 'depressions' barrel in from the Atlantic.
Weather expert Paul Blight weighed in on the latest as he said: "A series of depressions will affect the UK later this week & into the weekend as a powerful jet in the western Atlantic propagates eastwards fuelled by the big cold outbreak over the Eastern US. The developments are quite complex with subtropical energy in the mix. Two of the depressions could pose a risk for strong winds so i will focus on these.
"The surface lows which begin this process are currently off the eastern seaboard of the US. The first depression will bring some rain but nothing too serious. The first problem is the low coming east on Thursday Evening. This stems from a low pressure which forms off the coast of Labrador during the early hours of Weds. This deepens in the GFS & ends up around 976mbs on Thursday 12Z near Northern Scotland."
Meanwhile Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather has also weighed in on the forecast ahead, as he said in an update on Tuesday: "A lot of uncertainty around Friday and potential low system that could bring wet and windy weather ahead of the Toy Show, latest models show GFS bringing it in over Ireland but ECMWF keeps it South away from Ireland."
Weather warnings for strong winds are likely for all Irish coasts and for coastal counties over the next 48 hours.
The current forecast, nationally, is for a very unsettled period with the risk of very windy weather.
Met Eireann are saying:
Wednesday night: Rain will clear eastwards into the Irish Sea early on Wednesday night with a mix of clear spells and scattered showers following from the west. Minimum temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with fresh to strong southwest winds.
Thursday: A generally dry start over northern and eastern areas on Thursday but it will be cloudier further south and west with outbreaks of rain. Rain will extend nationwide through the morning and early afternoon, turning heavy in places. Clear spells and scattered showers will follow from the west as the rain clears, some of the showers will be heavy in the north. Maximum temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in strong and gusty southwest winds, veering westerly. Blustery on Thursday night with clear spells and scattered showers, the showers largely dying out later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in fresh and gusty northwest winds.
Friday: It looks set to be a cold and dry start on Friday with some early brightness. However, cloud will thicken from the south during the morning with rain developing in the southwest by lunchtime. Rain will extend nationwide during the afternoon and evening, turning heavy and persistent with localised flooding possible. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in moderate southerly breezes. It looks set to turn very windy on Friday night with widespread heavy rain bringing the risk of localised flooding. There is the chance of some wintry falls over the hills in the north of the country also. Lowest temperatures of zero to +5 degrees with strong to gale force northwest winds developing.
Saturday: It looks set to be cold and windy on Saturday with sunny spells and blustery showers, some wintry. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in fresh to strong northwest winds. Cold and breezy on Saturday night with clear spells and a few showers, mainly in Atlantic coastal regions. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees in fresh and gusty northwest winds.
Sunday: Cold and bright on Sunday with sunshine and well scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate northerly winds.
