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St Swithin's Day poem predicts 40 days of rain

St Swithin's Day poem predicts 40 days of rain

Extra.ie​2 days ago
While last week saw highs of up to 30C, this week has seen a change in the weather with thundery downpours forecast for Tuesday — a potential indication of what is to come, if the old saying can be trusted.
St Swithin's Day takes place annually on July 15, with a traditional rhyme for the day forecasting that the weather on the day will continue for the next 40 days and 40 nights.
Swithin was the Bishop of Winchester, and according to legend there was a huge storm following his death, and it rained for a number of weeks after. While last week saw highs of up to 30C, this week has seen a change in the weather with thundery downpours forecast for Tuesday — a potential indication of what is to come, if the old saying can be trusted. Pic: Shutterstock
The old legend says that if it rains on St Swithins Day it will rain for the 40 days after; if it is dry on the day it will be dry for the 40 days following.
The St Swithin's Day poem is:
'St Swithin's Day, if it does rain The old legend says that if it rains on St Swithins Day it will rain for the 40 days after; if it is dry on the day it will be dry for the 40 days following. Pic: Granger/Shutterstock
'Full forty days, it will remain
'St Swithin's Day, if it be fair
'For forty days, t'will rain no more.' While the saying predicts the same weather for 40 days, it has never materialised with RTÉ reporting that the closest to 40 days of rain that has ever happened was in 1924 when 30 of the 40 days after St Swithin's day were wet. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
While the saying predicts the same weather for 40 days, it has never materialised with RTÉ reporting that the closest to 40 days of rain that has ever happened was in 1924 when 30 of the 40 days after St Swithin's day were wet.
That said, there was almost 14 hours of sunshine on the day itself.
Indeed, rain is on the cards for Tuesday and so many will be wondering if its a terrible sign of what's to come.
Met Éireann have issued the weekly forecast, with plenty of rain and clouds throughout the week. They've only shared the forecast for the next five days
Looking towards the Extended Weather Forecast, the forecaster has said there is a 'fair amount of uncertainty' surrounding next week but has forecast rainfall amounts to be down compared to this week.
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St Swithin's Day poem predicts 40 days of rain
St Swithin's Day poem predicts 40 days of rain

Extra.ie​

time2 days ago

  • Extra.ie​

St Swithin's Day poem predicts 40 days of rain

While last week saw highs of up to 30C, this week has seen a change in the weather with thundery downpours forecast for Tuesday — a potential indication of what is to come, if the old saying can be trusted. St Swithin's Day takes place annually on July 15, with a traditional rhyme for the day forecasting that the weather on the day will continue for the next 40 days and 40 nights. Swithin was the Bishop of Winchester, and according to legend there was a huge storm following his death, and it rained for a number of weeks after. While last week saw highs of up to 30C, this week has seen a change in the weather with thundery downpours forecast for Tuesday — a potential indication of what is to come, if the old saying can be trusted. Pic: Shutterstock The old legend says that if it rains on St Swithins Day it will rain for the 40 days after; if it is dry on the day it will be dry for the 40 days following. The St Swithin's Day poem is: 'St Swithin's Day, if it does rain The old legend says that if it rains on St Swithins Day it will rain for the 40 days after; if it is dry on the day it will be dry for the 40 days following. Pic: Granger/Shutterstock 'Full forty days, it will remain 'St Swithin's Day, if it be fair 'For forty days, t'will rain no more.' While the saying predicts the same weather for 40 days, it has never materialised with RTÉ reporting that the closest to 40 days of rain that has ever happened was in 1924 when 30 of the 40 days after St Swithin's day were wet. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin While the saying predicts the same weather for 40 days, it has never materialised with RTÉ reporting that the closest to 40 days of rain that has ever happened was in 1924 when 30 of the 40 days after St Swithin's day were wet. That said, there was almost 14 hours of sunshine on the day itself. Indeed, rain is on the cards for Tuesday and so many will be wondering if its a terrible sign of what's to come. Met Éireann have issued the weekly forecast, with plenty of rain and clouds throughout the week. They've only shared the forecast for the next five days Looking towards the Extended Weather Forecast, the forecaster has said there is a 'fair amount of uncertainty' surrounding next week but has forecast rainfall amounts to be down compared to this week.

The ancient Irish weather omen that could bring 40 days of rain starting today
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After enjoying glorious sunshine over the weekend, many people across Ireland may be feeling a little gloomy when looking out of their window on what is proving to be a very rainy Tuesday. A disruptive mix of thunderstorms, torrential downpours and strong winds are expected today with Met Eireann warning that it will "remain changeable and rather unsettled" for the rest of this week. For those superstitious of nature, rainfall on July 15 - St Swithin's Day - holds a particularly grim meaning when it comes to weather. According to an ancient legend, if it rains on St Swithin's Day, it will continue to rain for the next 40 days. The tale, which dates back to 9th-century England, is rooted in folklore surrounding St Swithin, a bishop whose remains were moved from an outdoor grave to a shrine inside Winchester Cathedral on a rainy July 15. Legend has it that the rain on the day of the move was heaven's protest - and that it would rain for 40 days straight to show its disapproval. This story has sparked the popular proverb: "St Swithin's day if thou dost rain', For forty days it will remain, St Swithin's day if thou be fair, For forty days will rain na mair." The superstition has carried for centuries, even though meteorologists have long debunked any scientific basis behind it. The UK's Met Office said today: "Since records began there has been no occurrence of rainfall for that prolonged period of time". But that hasn't stopped people across Ireland from watching the skies a little more nervously on this particular date. Popular weather account Carlow Weather marked the occasion on social media, prompting a flurry of nostalgic - and slightly anxious - reactions from followers. One person recalled: "Ah, but who can forget the summer of 2007, when, ironically, the song Umbrella by Rhianna was number 1 in Ireland for 7 weeks while at the same time we experienced 49 consecutive days of rain. Nothing to do with St Swithin's Day mind you, it just always sticks out in my memory." Another wrote: "I'm sure this happened about 10 or 15 years ago. It rained for 40 days straight after raining on St Swithin's Day." A third added: "Yes the weather will be changeable for the next 40 days its raining here." Others kept it simple, with one commenter writing: "I hope this is not true." And perhaps summing up the national mood, someone else simply posted: "That's us done." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

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