A mostly dry day in store for Co Kildare but forecasters warn that Storm Leslie could bring 'strong gales and rain' for the country
By Kim O'Leary
It's set to be a mostly dry day ahead with patches of drizzle for Co Kildare, although forecasters are predicting that Ireland could be affected by Tropical Storm Leslie as it makes its way across Europe over the next few days with strong gales of 105km/hr predicted.
Cyclone Leslie has been gathering strength after being spotted east of Bermuda but will perform a dramatic U-turn and may head towards Ireland.
Forecasters are predicting that Tropical Storm Leslie could turn into Hurricane Leslie tonight and arrive on the British Isles with bad consequences for Ireland, England Scotland and Wales.
It is expected that the weather system will strengthen over the next few days before making its way through Europe.
The US National Hurricane Center today said the storm has a max sustained speed of 105kph while it heads towards the east coast of America, while Irish weather experts Carlow Weather said new graphs show it hitting the west coast of Ireland next Thursday – but not to be too worried yet.
They said: “Long range charts shows remains of Leslie off the West coast of Ireland.”
They added: “I wouldn’t be worrying about it for now anyway.”
Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather said: "Tropical Storm #Leslie currently has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected during the next day or two, and Leslie is forecast to become a hurricane tonight or on Wednesday. The path remains unclear beyond Friday."
According to Met Eireann, today, Wednesday, will be cloudy with patches of drizzle, but overall a good deal of dry weather with sunny spells in the afternoon for Co Kildare. Temperatures will range between 15 and 17 degrees and winds will be light to moderate west to southwest in direction.
https://twitter.com/MetEireann/status/1047346848229416960
Tonight will continue cloudy but largely dry. Lowest temperatures will range between 11 and 13 degrees and winds will be light to moderate southwesterly
Tomorrow, Thursday, will be largely dry for the morning. In the afternoon patchy outbreaks of rain will start to move southeastwards through the province. Highest temperatures between 16 and 18 degrees with a moderate to fresh southwest wind, veering northwest later as the rain starts to clear.
Rain will linger over much of Leinster and Munster on Thursday night but other parts of the country will be largely dry. It will turn cold in the north with lowest temperatures there of 3 or 4 degrees, it be less cold further south with temperatures there more likely to be between 5 and 7 degrees.
On Friday rain is expected to continue over Leinster and Munster for much of the day. Elsewhere there will be just a few showers. Northerly winds will be generally light, but stronger near the southeast and south coast. A rather cool feel to the day with temperatures between 9 and 12 degrees, a few degrees higher just along the south coast. The rain is set to slowly clear most of the country on Friday night.