Weather advisory for severe thunderstorms next week

Olga Aughey

Midland Weather Channel's Cathal Nolan has issued a weather advisory for the possibility of severe thunderstorms next week.

An unstable southeasterly airflow, combined with rising temperatures and a high level of humidity, could lead to severe thunder and lightning next week.

That's according to Midland Weather Channel's Cathal Nolan who says Ireland has not witnessed a significant event such as this since 1985.

"In Leinster, the North East and parts of Ulster in 1985, there was extreme lightning, hailstones and quite gusty winds which caused damage to crops and livestock.

"The last time we witnessed anything close to that was in 2005 or 2006.

"The risk of these storms breaking out at the current moment looks to be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

"Temperatures will reach 23-24 degrees C on Monday and Tuesday, and as high as 26-27 degrees C on Wednesday and Thursday.

"If thunderstorms do materialise, it will bring a risk of flash flooding, due to the excessive amount of rainfall within a short period of time.

"It will be very exciting from a weather point of view but maybe not as exciting for the general public and the farming community."

Meanwhile, Cathal says Saturday is to be the best day of the weekend, but there is a possibility of thunder and lightning on Sunday night.

- More updates to follow.