New Storm Dave fears over ‘lively winds’ as ‘depression’ brewing off Irish coast amid Met Eireann ‘hail & thunder’ alert

A NEW storm could be set to hit Ireland in days bringing more rain and wind misery to the country.

Current weather data suggests that a storm depression is developing off the west coast of Ireland.

Cathal Nolan of Ireland’s Weather Channel delivered the forecast as some weather maps show the storm hitting Ireland on Thursday.

However, it is still unclear if the storm will make landfall in Ireland, with the expert saying “there is a lot that can happen” before then.

If it did make landfall in the Ireland it would bring “very lively winds indeed”, Cathal Nolan warned.

However, he added that it was still early days and other weather models didn’t show the storm hitting Ireland.

Nolan said: “There’s a lot that can happen in terms of its depth and track, and as to whether it actually becomes a storm at all or whether it just remains a small wave feature and stays to our south.”

Met Eireann forecaster Gerry Murphy said: “On Thursday morning showery rain will spread eastwards across the country and then through the afternoon and evening heavier rain will spread northeastwards with some strong winds possible too.”

If the storm does hit it will be called “Storm Dave”, a name chosen by public submission to the UK Met Office.

The nominator suggested the name Dave after their “beloved husband who can snore three times louder than any storm”.

This week is otherwise set to be an improvement on weeks of miserable weather in Ireland.

Nolan said: “Generally speaking, this week there will be more sunshine about than there has been before.

“We will see a fair share of dry conditions overall and probably the west is going to see the heaviest of the rain.

“The eastern half of the country, thankfully, is going to get a respite.”

Today will start off with bright spells in most of the country, with rain and drizzle spreading north-eastwards to all areas by the early afternoon, Met Eireann’s Gerry Murphy said.

He said: “Tonight will be mostly cloudy with patchy light rain, drizzle and mist in many areas, lowest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly breezes.

“Tomorrow will continue mostly cloudy with patchy light rain, drizzle and mist.

“However, more persistent rain will develop in the west during the afternoon and then spread further inland towards evening.”

On Wednesday the rain will gradually clear eastwards with some heavy showers, thunder and hail following, the Met Eireann forecaster continued.

Thursday will likely be wet even if the storm does not hit the country, and these showers could turn to hail on Friday as temps drop.

Murphy said: “Friday will be colder as the rain clears away and showers develop, some of them of hail, and it will be that bit cooler next weekend with further rain or showers.”