Drought on the cards with 10 days of no rain
IRELAND is facing a drought with no rainfall on the horizon for at least 10 days.
Met Éireann’s longest-term forecast models predict rain of between just 0mm to 3mm, which forecaster John Eagleton said was astonishing.
“Typically those predictions are slightly over-estimated so we’re looking at effectively zero in the 10-day rainfall projection.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen zero,” he said.
The forecaster has put in place a drought warning across the country, with temperatures to remain from 24C to 28C for the foreseeable future.
It will be slightly cooler in the coming days than it has been over the past week and a yellow weather warning, which remained in place yesterday, is due to be stood down.
This would usually apply if temperatures were consistently above 28C.
However, it will remain warm into this weekend, next week and likely for the whole of July.
Long-term forecasts are for 10 days.
“But it’s unlikely to fall off a cliff after that,” Mr Eagleton said.
“It’s just an intense area of high pressure.”
Temperatures will vary across the country with coastal areas a few degrees cooler than inland.
“Drought or near-drought conditions will persist through the coming week,” Met Éireann said.
The warning was put in place from last Saturday until this Friday, however it could be extended.
The Status Red warning for forest fires has been extended by the Department of Agriculture.
People have been told not to use open barbecues or fires, to call 999 if they see smoke and not to drive near fires or smoke.
A hosepipe ban has been put in place in the capital to conserve water and will run until at least the end of this month.
In a statement, the capital’s new Lord Mayor, Nial Ring, said he would be doing his part and preserving water.
“It is important that we all conserve water as much as possible during this period and for that reason I have made the decision that the Lord Mayor’s official car will not be washed until the hosepipe ban has been lifted,” he said.