Brutal night in Offaly sparks Ploughing weather fears amid Met Éireann update

Met Éireann has provided an update to its weather forecast for the National Ploughing Championships taking place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, this week.

The huge event is likely to draw over 200,000 people to Offaly from Tuesday to Thursday but a wild night across the country on Sunday has left thousands checking the weather forecast.

The wind is likely to continue on Monday with "widespread showers or longer spells of rain, some heavy with the chance of thunder, particularly in the north and northwest where spot flooding is possible," according to Met Éireann, who have provided a similar glum outlook for the rest of the week.

They say there will be "a dry and bright start for most on Tuesday with just isolated showers. Cloud will build from the southwest through the morning with outbreaks of rain spreading northeastwards through the afternoon and evening, turning heavy at times particularly in the southwest. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in light to moderate southerly winds, beginning to strengthen in the evening.

"Widespread outbreaks of rain, turning heavy at times particularly in the south [on Tuesday night]. The rain will gradually clear northeastwards with isolated showers following from the west. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees, with moderate to fresh southeasterly winds veering southwesterly."

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Looking to Day 2 at the Ploughing, Met Éireann's forecast for Wednesday says: "Dry and blustery for most, with isolated showers and sunny spells. Some more frequent showers may clip the south coast for a time in the morning. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees with fresh to strong southwest winds, reaching gale force along west and northwest coasts.

"Largely dry with clear spells [on Wednesday night]. Cloud will build in the south overnight with outbreaks of rain moving in. Staying mostly dry with clear spells and isolated showers in the northern half of the country. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in light to moderate southerly winds.

"Outbreaks of rain in the south are likely to persist for much of the day [on Thursday] with drier and brighter conditions in the north. Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees with light southwesterly or variable winds."

Beyond the Ploughing which ends on Thursday evening, Met Éireann add that "current indications show a bright day for most on Friday with spells of showery rain at times. Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees with mostly light westerly winds.

"Unsettled weather is likely to continue into next weekend with further showers and outbreaks of rain," they conclude.