New Met Éireann thunderstorm alert as Ireland gets 300% higher than average May rain

Met Éireann has warned that more thunderstorms are on the way with widespread showers expected that could cause spot flooding in a continuation of much higher average than normal rainfall for May in Ireland. 

Met Éireann's Leinster forecast says the bright or sunny spells will mix with cloudy conditions and fairly widespread showers.

"Some of the showers will be heavy this afternoon, with a risk of spot flooding and the possibility of a few thunderstorms in the east and southeast of the province.

"The showers will tend to mostly die away this evening with good spells of sunshine to end the day. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in light to moderate northwest winds, becoming northeasterly," says the forecaster.

The rain is a continuation of the wet weather that have caused land to be saturated in many parts of Ireland according to the forecaster's farming section.

"The past week was wetter than average across all of Ireland with between 20 and 42.7 mm recorded, which was 124 to 297% of average," it says.

There will be some easing of conditions in the coming days but Met Éirann says rainfall amounts are expected to range from 10 to 20 mm, which is about 60 to 120% of average.

The main national forecast says high conditions are set to return settling the weather somewhat but it will be cooler than average due to northerly winds. MORE BELOW TWEET.

➡️Midweek update⬅️

The rest of today, tonight & Thursday will be cool with widespread showers,some heavy with thunderstorms possible in the southeast on Thursday afternoon.️️

Warmer and drier on Friday with sunny spells and temperatures reaching the mid to high teens.️️ pic.twitter.com/EmdCIqXEts

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) May 10, 2023

National Forecast issued by Met Éireann at at 8.25 am on May 11.

Thursday: Showers will become widespread this morning, heaviest across the eastern half of the country with spot flooding possible. Drier and sunnier intervals will develop in the northwest this afternoon but frequent showers will persist elsewhere, with thunderstorms possible in the east and southeast. Showers will gradually become isolated by late evening. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees. Light winds in the north and east, with moderate to fresh northwesterly winds elsewhere.

Any remaining isolated showers will die out early at night leaving dry conditions with long clear spells. Patches of mist and fog will develop in light northerly or variable breezes. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.

Friday: Most places will be dry tomorrow, Friday, with spells of sunshine developing, and just the chance of a few light showers bubbling up in the afternoon and early evening. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees in a light northerly breeze.

Dry with long clear spells at night. Areas of mist and fog will develop in the near calm conditions. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.

SATURDAY: Any patchy mist and fog will soon clear on Saturday morning, leaving a mostly dry day with spells of hazy sunshine. Isolated showers are possible in the afternoon and cloud will thicken from the west during the evening. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees in light, variable breezes.

Saturday night will be cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle developing in the north and west. Winds will be generally light southwest or variable but will increase moderate to fresh near Atlantic coasts. Milder than recent nights with temperatures staying above 9 or 10 degrees.

SUNDAY: Damp and cloudy to begin on Sunday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle giving way to sunshine and a few showers extending from the northwest. The last of the rain and drizzle will likely clear the east coast by evening. Much cooler than the preceding days with maximum temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees. Light to moderate southerly winds will turn northwesterly and increase moderate to fresh as the rain clears.

Most areas dry with long clear spells. Patchy cloud and drizzle on western and northern coasts. Lows of 4 to 8 degrees with light to moderate northwest breezes.

MONDAY: Mostly dry and sunny to begin but cloud will tend to build from the Atlantic through the morning, producing a cloudier afternoon with a few light showers scattered about. Sunny spells will increase again through the later afternoon and evening. Highs of 12 to 14 degrees in light to moderate northwest breezes.

High pressure looks set to dominate bringing generally dry and settled conditions, but winds will be northwest in direction keeping temperatures on the cool side of average for the time of year.