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<\/p>\nExperts have warned that the El Nino event developing over the Pacific is shaping up to be the strongest in living memory, sparking concerns Ireland could be battered by storms and rain due to the ‘unprecedented’ event<\/p>\n
09:11, 23 Aug 2026Updated 09:14, 23 Aug 2026<\/p>\n
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There are growing concerns that the El Ni\u00f1o weather phenomenon may bring more rain and stormy weather to Ireland in the coming months(Image: Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Experts are raising concerns over a less common natural climate phenomenon developing this year which could bring storms and spells of heavy rain to Ireland in the next few months.<\/p>\n
El Ni\u00f1o<\/a> refers to warm surface waters in the Eastern tropical Pacific that were first observed in the disruption of fish stocks for Peruvian fishermen several centuries ago.<\/p>\n The name comes from the Spanish word for \u2018boy\u2019, with the opposite phenomenon, i.e. cold and nutrient rich waters upwelling to the surface of the Eastern tropical Pacific, known as La Ni\u00f1a, the Spanish for \u2018girl\u2019.<\/p>\n The El Ni\u00f1o occurrence is the shift between warm Eastern tropical Pacific sea surface temperature circumstances (El Ni\u00f1o) and cold Eastern tropical Pacific sea surface temperature circumstances (La Ni\u00f1a), according to Met \u00c9ireann<\/a>.<\/p>\n The stormy weather could lead flooding in many areas(Image: Paul Faith \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n This weather pattern, which happens around every 2-7 years, impacts global rainfall patterns and average temperatures.<\/p>\n Professor Adam Scaife, head of long range forecasting at the UK’s Met Office, said: “We should be clear that this is an unprecedented event. I have never seen an El Nino signal this intense in our forecasts.”<\/p>\n This climate phenomenon increases the risk of drought in the tropics, southern Africa and north-east Australia, while north-western Europe \u2013 including Ireland \u2013 is likely to experience wetter and stormier conditions in the coming autumn and early winter, the forecaster said.<\/p>\n A Met Eireann expert has warned that El Nino could unleash wetter and windier weather in Ireland over the coming months.<\/p>\n “The sea surface temperatures are well above average and this increases the moisture content in the atmosphere for any low pressure systems and rainy weather coming towards us which can increase the intensity of any rainfall events,” Climatologist at Met \u00c9ireann Paul Moore told RTE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scientists are warning that a super El Ni\u00f1o is becoming increasingly likely as the year advances. Such an event could have significant global impacts on rainfall and temperature patterns extending from summer through to winter.<\/p>\n Met \u00c9ireann has said Ireland could have a greater chance of wetter weather over the coming months as the effects of the El Ni\u00f1o weather phenomenon are felt(Image: Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has placed a 25 per cent probability on El Ni\u00f1o intensifying into a super El Ni\u00f1o by autumn or early winter. A super El Ni\u00f1o is confirmed when ocean temperature anomalies climb to at least 2 degrees Celsius above normal.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, after a bright and dry weekend, it is forecast to turn more unsettled next week with spells of rain and showers, some possibly turning heavy or thundery.<\/p>\n Met Eireann National Outlook<\/p>\n Sunday (August 23)<\/strong>: This morning, any mist and fog will clear, leaving a mostly dry and calm day with sunny spells. There is just the chance of an isolated shower in Ulster. After a cool start, highest temperatures will reach 17C to 22C, warmest in southern counties.<\/p>\n Remaining dry with clear spells tonight. Some mist and fog patches will develop once again in a light variable breeze. Another chilly night with lowest temperatures of 5C to 9C.<\/p>\n Monday (August 24)<\/strong>: Tomorrow will be another largely dry day with sunny spells. Scattered light showers will develop in the southwest and west later. Rather warm with highest temperatures of 19C to 23C in light east to southeast winds.<\/p>\n Becoming cloudier overnight with scattered showers spreading from the south, though parts of the east and northeast will remain dry. A milder night with lowest temperatures of 11C to 15C in a light to moderate easterly breeze.<\/p>\n Tuesday (August 25)<\/strong>: A cloudy day with scattered showers at first. Longer spells of rain will spread from the south later in the day. Highest temperatures of 17C to 21C in moderate easterly winds.<\/p>\n Mostly cloudy overnight with outbreaks of rain, some heavy with the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Some clear spells will develop in the southwest towards morning. Mild with lowest temperatures of 12C to 16C in light to moderate east to southeast winds.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2_GettyImages-2258083348jpgty.jpg\")
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