Met Eireann forecast warning as ‘severe weather outbreak’ heading for Ireland

Weather experts have warned of a high risk of thunderstorms across Europe in the coming days as a rare phenomenon takes hold.

Summer weather often provides the perfect conditions for storms to develop. Warm temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more humidity, and that humidity is a prerequisite for building clouds—specifically, the tall, menacing cumulonimbus clouds that produce thunder and lightning.

We’ve had plenty of humidity from rain over the past several days, leading to meteorologist Nahel Belgherze to warn:

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“Concern is growing for the potential of a significant severe weather outbreak across portions of western Europe on Saturday. Intense and well-organised storms, including supercells and bow-echoes are likely in this environment with threats of very large hail and damaging wind gusts.”

He added: “Rare dual top-end Level 3 areas have just been issued by ESTOFEX ahead of tomorrow’s expected regional severe weather outbreak. Damaging winds, very large hail and a few, possibly strong, tornadoes are likely across portions of Western Europe.

Nahel’s fellow weather expert Nick Finnis was in agreement, posting: “Plenty of interesting weather happening in parts of Europe the next few days, just not in the UK (unless you like quiet weather) Severe thunderstorm episode looks to evolve over parts of France, Italy and into central Europe tomorrow & Saturday.”

Met Eireann have issued the following forecast for the weekend.

Mostly cloudy at first today with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, along with mist and fog patches, slowly clearing southeastwards. Gradually brightening up from the north and northwest with sunny spells and just isolated showers.

Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees generally, slightly cooler close to northern and northwestern coasts, with light to moderate north to northwest winds developing this afternoon, fresh at times in the southwest.

Tonight

Turning rather cloudy tonight in the north and west with isolated showers. Dry elsewhere with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly breezes.

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy on Sunday morning with a few showers developing in the north and east. Brightening up for a time from the west through the morning and afternoon before cloudier conditions return to the west in the evening, along with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly in Connacht and west Ulster.

Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees generally, cooler though for northern areas, in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

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