Ireland Weather: Storm Dave Fears Ease, But Flood Risk Continues

DUBLIN (Azat TV) – Initial fears that Storm Dave would bring damaging winds directly to Ireland have significantly eased, but the nation is now bracing for a week of widespread heavy rain and strong winds, carrying a substantial risk of localized flooding. Met Éireann, Ireland’s national meteorological service, confirmed on Tuesday that while Storm Dave is active in the Atlantic, it is unlikely to directly impact the country, shifting the focus to a separate frontal system expected to deliver persistent wet and windy conditions.

The update comes after days of anticipation regarding the potential severity of the weather. While the immediate threat of a named storm has receded, the revised outlook still presents considerable challenges, particularly for southern and southwestern regions where significant rainfall accumulations are forecast. Commuters and residents are advised to remain vigilant as the unsettled weather pattern is expected to continue through the weekend.

Storm Dave’s Direct Impact Ruled Out by Met Éireann

Despite earlier indications of potentially damaging winds from Storm Dave, Met Éireann has provided reassurance, stating that a direct impact on Ireland is improbable. A spokesperson for the meteorological service explained that while a ‘frontal wave’ on Thursday night will bring a ‘spell of wet and possibly windy weather,’ there is only a ‘small chance that this frontal wave will develop into a more impactful low-pressure system.’ This assessment offers some relief from the ‘brief panic stations’ reported earlier in the week concerning the storm’s trajectory, according to Dublin Live.

This clarification distinguishes Ireland’s forecast from severe weather events elsewhere, such as Storm Hernando, which made landfall in the United States on Monday, causing blizzards, travel disruptions, and thousands of flight cancellations across major cities like New York and Boston. Ireland’s situation, while challenging due to rain and wind, is not expected to reach the same level of intensity as a direct storm impact.

Ireland Braces for Persistent Heavy Rain and Flood Warnings

Even with the reduced storm risk, Ireland is still facing a considerable threat from persistent and heavy rainfall. Weather Alerts Ireland and Met Éireann forecasts indicate that significant precipitation is expected, particularly in the southern half of the country. Over 30mm of rain is possible in the south, with accumulations potentially reaching around 60mm by the end of the weekend in southern areas and up to 100mm on higher ground in the southwest.

This volume of rain has prompted renewed flood warnings. Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather, cited by The Sun.ie, emphasized that despite the ‘much lower’ risk of stormy winds, ‘a bunch of rain’ is anticipated. A heavy band of rain is expected to move over southern counties on Thursday afternoon, bringing ‘heavy and persistent falls alongside strong, blustery winds.’ The risk of localized flooding is once again a concern, particularly with more heavy rain moving up from the south on Thursday evening.

Unsettled Conditions Expected Through the Weekend in Ireland

The unsettled weather pattern is set to dominate Ireland’s forecast for the remainder of the week and into the weekend. Wednesday began cloudy and wet, with rain clearing later in the morning before scattered, sometimes heavy, showers followed in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to range from 11°C to 14°C.

Thursday will see largely cloudy skies with rain spreading from the west and southwest, becoming heavy and persistent in southern counties during the afternoon. Thursday night will remain very wet and unsettled, with widespread heavy rain and very strong winds before clearing from the south before dawn. Lowest temperatures are forecast between 4°C and 7°C. Friday is expected to be a brighter day with sunny spells and scattered showers, some heavy with a chance of hail, and a noticeable temperature swing. A brief colder spell on Friday night and Saturday could bring widespread frost and icy patches, with lows dropping to -2°C to +1°C. Current indications for the weekend suggest continued unsettled conditions, with potentially heavy rain on Saturday and spells of rain on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 10°C or 11°C.

The shift from a potentially damaging storm to a sustained period of heavy rainfall underscores the dynamic nature of weather forecasting and the importance of adapting public advisories. While the immediate high-wind threat has abated, the enduring risk of widespread flooding from continuous rain presents a different, yet equally impactful, challenge for infrastructure and communities across Ireland.