Rare summer storm could batter Ireland as expert warns of 'worst case scenario'
Weather models are suggesting the possibility of very strong winds sweeping across the country, but there is still some hope for calmer conditions to follow.
Both the Global Forecast System (GFS) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) have flagged the potential development of a low-pressure system early next week that could bring stormy conditions to Irish shores. Ireland may be in for an unwelcome blast of extreme weather next week, as a rare summer storm looms on the horizon. Pic: Niall Carson/PA
Irish weather expert Alan O'Reilly, who runs the widely-followed @CarlowWeather account on X, has been monitoring the charts closely and highlighted next Tuesday as the most likely day for disruption.
'When it comes on Tuesday – look at this – very, very strong winds right across the country. Now, it's a week out. It's very uncertain. It's going to chop and change but the GFS and the ECMWF are both showing the risk of a low pressure storm moving towards us on Monday or Tuesday, hopefully Tuesday,' he said on social media.
While he urged people not to panic, he advised keeping an eye on developments. 'I wouldn't get too worried at the moment but it's certainly something to keep an eye on.'
Monday evening update and an early look ahead at the long weekend including latest weather models showing risk of storm early next week. pic.twitter.com/fa8uJMSn2Z — Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) July 28, 2025
There's also a silver lining. O'Reilly suggested that even if strong winds do materialise, better weather may follow shortly after: 'The good news is that once that clears, high pressure looks more likely to move in for next week so it might be a short-term loss in terms of some wind and rain but then high pressure moving in so fingers crossed that we get that high pressure and the low pressure stays to the north.'
For now, conditions will remain mixed in the lead-up to the weekend.
According to Met Éireann, a good deal of dry weather is expected over the coming days, with temperatures remaining in the high teens.
However, that's set to change by Saturday, August 2, when a band of rain moves in across the country, turning heavy at times.
Sunday is expected to bring scattered showers, with temperatures holding steady in the mid to high teens.
Providing some cautious optimism, O'Reilly added that the most severe projection from the ECMWF might not come to pass.
Good news is the weather model ensembles show that the ECMWF model with storm next Tuesday is currently worst case scenario so hopefully won't end up that bad🤞 pic.twitter.com/pSpVYBANjk — Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) July 28, 2025
'Good news is the weather model ensembles show that the ECMWF model with storm next Tuesday is currently worst case scenario so hopefully won't end up that bad.'
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RTÉ News
10 hours ago
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