Met Office forecasts snow showers and lots of rain in aftermath of Hurricane Kirk

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/snow-showers-and-lots-of-rain-forecast-for-ni-in-aftermath-of-hurricane-kirk/a493747195.html

Snow is expected to hit Northern Ireland this week – but not on the scale that was first forecast due to Hurricane Kirk.
It was reported by the Met Office on Friday that Northern Ireland and Scotland were likely to see the worst of the colder conditions due to the Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean.

However, in an updated forecast, the meteorological service said the Mourne Mountains will likely see wintry showers this week, while the rest of Northern Ireland can expect plenty of rain.

The Northern Lights are also expected to be visible along the north coast on Sunday night and early hours of Monday morning.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan, said: “Sightings of the aurora are possible this evening and during the early hours of Monday, especially in dark areas where there is a clear view to the north, so more particularly along the north coast.”

Mr Morgan added that while Hurricane Kirk had reached Category 4, it will not directly impact Northern Ireland this week.

Kirk was a major hurricane as of Sunday but is set to weaken over the next few days, “morphing into a more typical” low-pressure system.

“Ex-Hurricane Kirk is not expected to affect NI at all and will most likely stay to the south of the UK,” said Mr Morgan.

Despite avoiding Kirk, Northern Ireland has been advised to prepare for varying conditions, as the forecast calls for a week of “changeable weather” with sunny spells, rain, strong winds, and wintry showers.

Monday is forecast to see a maximum temperature of 16 degrees, starting with bright spells in the morning, but showers are likely by the afternoon.

More significant rain and stronger winds are also forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Morgan said: “A fairly changeable start to the week for Northern Ireland with bright spells on Monday morning but a few showers by the afternoon.

“Rather cloudy with heavier showers or longer spells of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday and turning windier by mid-week.”

He added: “Colder but drier and brighter by Thursday with a few showers, some of which could be wintry on the Mourne Mountains, but at lower levels, any showers will be of rain. Winds will turn more northerly.”

Calmer conditions are anticipated by the weekend, with clearer skies and milder temperatures expected.

Some wintry showers have been forecast for the area around the Mourne Mountains
Some wintry showers have been forecast for the area around the Mourne Mountains

Meanwhile, the Met Office has not ruled out issuing weather warnings.

In its long range weather forecast for between October 11 and October 20, the Met Office said colder conditions must be expected.

"A colder interlude across all areas of the UK as northerly winds push south bringing showers,” it said.

"Perhaps a more organised spell of rain and stronger winds across Scotland especially as we head into the weekend, meanwhile southern areas are likely to see much drier conditions than of late with some sunshine by day.

"Temperatures below average, especially in the north with some overnight frost possible along with some patchy mist and fog.

"Later in the weekend likely to turn more unsettled once more with outbreaks of rain and some stronger winds expected to return to the northwest of the UK especially, although the southeast may well hang on to drier conditions throughout.”