Met Éireann has said that there will be another 10 days of rain before high pressure is expected to set in over Ireland later this month.
Eoin Sherlock, chief hydrometeorologist and senior meteorologist with Met Éireann, presented an extended weather outlook to the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) meeting today (Tuesday, April 9).
He said there will be rain tomorrow, particularly in the northern half of the country, as the Atlantic continues to be “in command of our weather” bringing multiple wet fronts.
Met Éireann
In an update that will come as relief to farmers, Sherlock that current indications are that high pressure may arrive in Ireland by the middle of the month around April 17.
He explained that once established high pressure tends to stay in place for a period of time and generally means no rain.
Sherlock said that current weather models suggest that there will be a gradual decline in the high pressure towards the end of the month and into the start of May.
He told the meeting that he is “reasonably confident” there will be rain for the next seven to 10 days which will be followed by high pressure for the following five to seven days.
Rain
Paul Moore, meteorologist in the climate division of Met Éireann, also told the meeting that 14 weather stations had over 150% of their long term average (LTA) in March 2024, with two stations in the east of the country recording over 200% of their LTA.
All weather stations had 20 or more rain days last month, with 29 rain days recorded at both Shannon Airport Co. Clare.
Moore said that the North Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures have continued at record high levels since March 2023.
A warmer atmosphere carries more moisture, about 7% more for every degree of warming.
As a result, heavy rainfall events are expected to increase in intensity, he said.