It’s coming home...

The rain, that is – but only Connacht and Ulster will get showers

‘It might help supplies a tiny bit’

DUST off that brolly and root out the raincoat – because our old familiar friend the rain is to return to our shores this week.

However, drought-hit farmers might need to do a few more rain dances to summon the heavens, as only Connacht and Ulster are to get showers, and it’s not going to be a deluge.

But with water restrictions in place countrywide, Met Éireann has said this week will see the first significant rainfall since the onset of the heatwave last month.

Forecasters said we can expect varying degrees of rain across the country from tomorrow, with the heaviest downpours concentrated in the north and west of the country, and light showers elsewhere.

While the showers will signal a break in the prolonged dry spell of recent weeks, it is unlikely to be heavy enough to replenish reservoirs or have any real impact on the country’s parched vegetation.

After tomorrow’s showers, Thursday will be mostly dry and Friday will be another fairly hot day – although the south and east are set to get a sprinkling of rain.

According to a Met Éireann forecaster, Donegal and Connacht are likely to see the greatest level of rainfall tomorrow.

‘There are some indications that it [the rain] could be between 5mm and 20mm,’ she said.

As to how much this will help replenish water supplies, she said: ‘I’m sure it might help a tiny bit but not to any great extent.’

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority has warned that the return of the rain will pose its own problems for motorists. It said build-ups of grease, oil and melted tar washed over with rain can lead to dangerous conditions.

The RSA urged road users to exercise caution this week and allow for greater distance between vehicles.