Thunderstorm warnings issued for Ireland and Northern Ireland after record dry July

Warnings issued for Monday evening

On Monday, Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for Cork, in effect from 2:44pm to 6pm, and separate Status Yellow rain warnings for Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow from 5pm until midnight. The warnings highlighted the risk of lightning strikes, heavy rain, spot flooding, poor visibility, and difficult travelling conditions. Small craft warnings were also in place for the northwest coast from Slyne Head to Malin Head until midnight.

Spells of heavy, thundery rain.

Northern Ireland alert for Tuesday

The UK Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for all six counties of Northern Ireland (Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry), valid from midday to 9pm on Tuesday. The Met Office cautions that showers and thunderstorms could disrupt transport and outdoor events, with flooding of homes and businesses likely and possible damage to buildings. A short-term loss of power and other services is also possible.

Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely and rain could lead to some damage to buildings or structures. There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected and short-term loss of power and other services is possible.

Record dry July in England and Wales

The warnings arrive after England and Wales recorded their driest July since records began in 1836, according to provisional Met Office figures. Southern England had its driest month ever, with just 1.9mm of rain. England as a whole received 6.5mm, about 10% of the long-term average, while Wales saw 9.3mm, or 9% of average. Both totals were less than half the previous record lows from 1911. In July, 19 counties across England recorded effectively no rainfall (1mm or less) across the whole month. The month was also exceptionally hot and sunny: southern England had its hottest July on record, Wales its joint hottest, and the UK and England their second hottest. The UK, England, and Wales all recorded their sunniest July, and for England and Wales it was the sunniest calendar month ever observed. Farming leaders warned of poor yields, struggles to access water for fruit and vegetables, and livestock keepers using winter feed for their animals.

One of the most severe droughts many farmers and growers have lived through.

Cooler and wetter week ahead

After a prolonged spell of high pressure that brought some of the hottest conditions Ireland has seen in years, temperatures are set to dip. Tuesday will begin cloudy with patchy rain, then sunny spells and scattered showers, some turning thundery over Connacht and Ulster. Highs will reach 18–23°C. Wednesday will be what Met Éireann calls "unseasonably blustery" with rain affecting Ulster and Connacht, and temperatures of 15–19°C. Thursday and Friday will see further showers and highs of 15–19°C. The weekend is forecast to remain mixed and unsettled, with a chance of more settled conditions later.