Met Eireann has issued an update on a hurricane that is heading for Ireland this weekend warning of heavy thunderstorms from the nasty weather conditions.
A number of fronts are bound for the country from the Atlantic with a jet stream bringing low pressure expected at the weekend leading to heavy rain and high winds.
The bad weather is forecast to land on Friday night or Saturday and make for a shocking weekend with hail and prolonged thunderstorms promised for Saturday.
Met Eireann forecaster Liz Walsh said: "Over the coming week, the Jet Stream is expected to help deepen areas of low pressure and direct them generally between Ireland and Iceland.
She stated that while the front that arrives in a few days won't be Hurricane level, it will bring very stormy conditions.
The forecaster added: "The next Atlantic low pressure system that will affect Ireland after Saturday, will be early next week and that low pressure system will likely contain the remnants of Epsilon, currently a category 1 Hurricane which is expected to curve northeastwards to the east of Bermuda this weekend.
"As mentioned in one of our meteorologist commentaries from last month, (see "The 2020 Hurricane Season so far" meteorologist commentary) we passed the peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season quite a while ago.
"In that commentary, it was also mentioned that: 'The delayed warming of the Atlantic Ocean forces the location of extra-tropical transitioning storms northward late in the season so here in Ireland, we are more likely to see the remnants of these storms influencing our weather over the coming weeks and months.'
"And looking at the current set-up in the Atlantic right now, we can see that situation appears to be developing."
Here's how today and tomorrow are looking:
Today: "Thursday will start cool but dry, with some sunshine early on. Staying dry across most areas for daylight hours, in just light west to southwest breezes. However, it will gradually cloud over. Cool, with highest temperatures of 10 or 11 degrees Celsius."
Tonight: "Becoming wet countrywide tonight as a band of rain continues to move eastwards across the country. South to south west breezes will be moderate, occasionally fresh. Lowest temperatures 5 to 8 degrees Celsius."
Tomorrow: "Any lingering overnight rain will clear early Friday. Once again, most areas will hold dry for daylight hours with good sunny spells. Highest temperatures will range 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, in light to moderate southwest breezes."
