Rainfall alert for bank holiday but sunny Monday expected

Met Eireann warns of flooding for Leinster in early part of weekend

Have your umbrella and not your sunscreen to hand if you are planning to spend the bank holiday weekend on the east coast. Met Éireann has issued a rainfall alert and warned of a risk of flooding in the early part of the bank holiday weekend with conditions set to improve by Sunday.

The rainfall alert for Leinster is orange which is the second highest level meaning “be prepared”. It comes into effect early tomorrow until early Sunday. The forecasters warn of heavy and persistent rainfall of between 40 to 70mm .

Flooding is “likely in many places” tomorrow, Met Eireann forecaster Harm Luijkx said. The heavy rain is being caused by an area of low pressure to the south which will track across the Irish sea tomorrow and activate heavy rain. The rainfall will mostly effect the east coast and other parts of Leinster and possibly parts of Munster, he said.

Mr Luijkx said it was a disappointment for the bank holiday especially since we have had such good weather recently. The forecast is “unusual” for August but can happen any time of year, he said.

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But for those heading on holidays to or staying in the West there is good news, as it will be mainly dry tomorrow with temperatures of 18 to 19 degrees.

The weekend’s weather prospects improve from Sunday with dry, sunny spells forecast for most of the State as the low pressure begins to track northwards.

Holidaymakers in the South can put on their shorts and t-shirts on Sunday as temperatures are expected reach 18 or 19 degrees. For those in Ulster it is far gloomier with rain continuing on Sunday and highest temperatures of 14 to 15 degrees.

Monday will be the “best day of the weekend”, Mr Luijkx said. Monday will be mainly dry with sunny spells and highs of 18 to 21 degrees, Met Eireann has forecast .

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery is Deputy Head of Audience at The Irish Times