Ireland’s chance of a return to summer sunshine is in doubt, according to a Carlow weather expert.
Alan O’Reilly has said the expected area of high pressure that was finally headed our way after the recent rain-filled days may not arrive at all.
Rather, an area of low pressure seems to be moving in, meaning the wet and windy conditions could be here to stay.
He wrote: "The trends have backed away from high pressure coming back to us and instead we get a low right over us."
All hope of some more sun before the end of the summer is not lost as Mr. O’Reilly says there is "huge uncertainty beyond the weekend so this could change again."
At the moment, Met Eireann has a status yellow storm warning in place for the rest of today, while the North has an alert in place from the UK Met Office, extending right into the weekend.
Most of the country is in for rain and hail this afternoon, while car owners are warned of resulting hazardous driving conditions.
Tomorrow will again see thundery showers and longer spells of rain over the northern half of the country with the continued risk of spot flooding.
Showers will be more isolated over Munster and south Leinster for most of the day with some bright spells expected and highest temperatures of 15C to 19C.
The weekend won’t be a total write-off as some areas on Saturday and Sunday are expected to have some sunny spells.
Saturday will be a breezy day with widespread showers in the north and east once with isolated thunderstorms bringing the risk of spot flooding.
However, it will be much drier and brighter towards the southwest of the country with just isolated showers, while temperatures are set to hit 19C.
On Sunday, showery conditions will continue with thunderstorms potentially returning.
Showers will be heaviest and most frequent over the northern half of the country, and the best of the weather will again be further south, with highs of 15C to 19C in moderate to fresh west to southwest winds, easing later.
