Bizarre ice storm lashes Donegal in June winter like scene

Flooding and fierce winds as recent heatwave a fond memory

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The aftermath of a thunderstorm over Donegal on Thursday

Photo by David McIlveen/ Donegal Daily

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Bizarre Irish weather for June has resulted in an ice storm in Donegal and pounding rain and flooding throughout the country.

The ice storm left several inches of ice near the village of Termon in Donegal the Irish Independent reported.

Local photojournalist Frank McGettigan stated he had never seen anything like it "No one around here has ever seen anything like this in June before. It was really odd."

A Met Eireann forecaster Joan Blackburn expalined the phenomenon "All rain starts as a frozen product," she said. "A downdraft would push the hail down quicker than it can melt, and this is not unheard of. Also, it's not particularly mild, and because the shower is so intense, the hail doesn't have time to melt and fall as rain."

Forecasters warned there is no let up in sight for the Irish with heavy rain and flooding predicted nationwide making last week’s heat wave a fond memory.The weekend will be unsettled, with some dry spells. "It has been wet -- and it's going to be wet," Ms Blackburn said.

However she said conditions will improve "Dry weather will start to make its way up the country, but it will be windy and wet for a lot of places.

"There is going to be strong and very gusty northwesterly winds, with gales of up to Force 9. The rainfall isn't quite as bad, but it will still be wet, and Ulster will be the
the last to dry out."

Police are warning of tough driving conditions. "Please be aware of all others on the road and travel a safe distance from cars in front of you," a spokesman said.

"Conditions can be changeable from area to area, so always drive at a speed suitable to conditions, and remain conscious that flooding may occur and visibility may be reduced."
 

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