Weather set to get 'harder' in future
Library Image/Picture posed
Experts say Ireland is facing wetter winters and warmer summers due to shifting weather patterns.
The traditional Irish 'soft day', with clouds and drizzle drifting in from the Atlantic, could be a thing of the past, a weather expert predicted last night.
The age-old term for a day's rain might be one for the history books with our climate expected to turn angrier and the country hit with short, heavier downpours.
British Met Office scientist Dr Martin Parry said Ireland should count its blessings as it would most likely escape the worst effects of global warming.
The weather expert told an environmental conference that Ireland could expect wetter winters; warmer, drier summers; and heavier rainfalls when they occur.
"The most important issue is water, but not for Ireland and Britain,'' he said. "Southern Europe, North Africa and especially southern Africa will see a decrease in rainfall.''
Dr Parry warned of the changes coming our way: "In Ireland, the 'soft day' will be a thing of the past.
"Rainfall will be heavier and more sudden. The year will be drier, the summer will be drier, but winters will be wetter.
"Northern Europe will benefit in a way but southern Europe will pay a cost.''
His future predictions were in marked contrast to the dreadful summer experienced by the entire country.
It has gone down in history as the wettest in nearly half a century according to Met Eireann records, with torrential rain and flooding affecting many areas.
Some homeowners and businesses are still engaged in costly clean-up operations after floods hit Dublin, Mallow, Newcastle West and Carlow. But Dr Parry said the country should count its blessings with global warming set to have a devastating effect on the southern hemisphere.
