'We remain vigilant' - Strong jet stream could send storm towards Ireland in days

Ireland could be hit with an unseasonable summer storm next week, according to one weather forecaster.

The system is a long way off and is not guaranteed to result in a storm but it is being monitored by meteorologist Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel.

He made the prediction while also saying Ireland will enjoy a few more settled and sunny days over the weekend.

He said: "Settled weather is expected this weekend across the country with a weak area of high pressure keeping Atlantic rain bearing systems away from Ireland.

"There will however be some showers during the afternoons, especially so on Sunday with some sharp showers possible. Temperatures will be around average at best for the time of year."

Looking ahead to next week, he said things will turn more unsettled "with the best weather likely initially across the south and east of the country, but generally it’s an unsettled picture with a mixture of wet days interspersed by showery conditions."

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He added: "Our winds will be more from the southwest next week with temperatures rising as a result, and feeling pleasant in any drier periods in between the various unsettled spells.

"It’s interesting to take note of the strength of the jet stream pushing across the Atlantic next week, with the GFS weather model indicating the risk of some potentially unseasonably windy, even stormy conditions close to Ireland.

"Before the headlines begin to write themselves this is just one model around a week away indicating that there’s favourable conditions for the deepening of areas of low pressure, however that is no guarantee and we’re not predicting an Atlantic storm.

"But the possibility isn’t negligible and we’ll remain vigilant."

Met Éireann is so far not predicting stormy conditions but agree that the picture for next week is very "unsettled."

Their outlook for the coming days says: "Generally cloudy conditions with showers or outbreaks of light rain at times over the coming days in mainly light winds."

For next week, they add: "Cloudy on Monday with showery outbreaks of rain spreading across the country from the south, possibly turning heavy and thundery at times. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in light easterly veering westerly or variable breezes.

"Rain and cloud will continue to push northwards with clear spells and drier conditions following the clearance over much of the southern half of the country early on [Monday night]. Showers will move into Atlantic coastal counties later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a light westerly breeze.

"Tuesday is likely to see scattered showers moving in from the west and spreading across the country. After a mostly cloudy start some sunny spells will develop through the day. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in a light to moderate west to southwest wind."

They conclude: "Current indications suggest that it will be largely unsettled next week with further showers and rain."