This month could become the wettest May on record if current rainfall trends countrywide continue over the next nine days, according to Met Éireann.
Already, Met Éireann's station in Valentia has recorded 176 millimetres of rain, which is two and a half times its normal levels while parts of the Midwest have experienced three times its normal rainfall levels for the month of May.
With yet another nine days remaining until the end of the month, meteorologist Vincent O'Shea said it was "very plausible" that May could become a record-breaking month if the trends of daily rain continued.
Since records were started by Met Éireann in 1940, 2002 proved the wettest May, measuring 187 millimetres, followed by 1986 with 182 millimetres. In the event of another 11 millimetres of rainfall over the coming nine days, the 2002 record will be surpassed.
To date this month Dublin has experienced 95.9 millimetres of rain, Cork has reached 120.1 millimetres and Belmullet has recorded 107.6 millimetres of rain - all well above their normal averages for the month.
Rain showers are expected to continue throughout the coming week, with heavy rain showers expected on Thursday and Friday, particularly in southern areas.
Added to the close to abnormal amount of rainfall, temperatures in recent days have fallen below expected norms of between 15 and 18 degrees for the month of May. On Sunday 12 degrees was recorded as the maximum temperature countrywide, while yesterday's maximum temperatures fell between 10 and 13 degrees. Today, however, temperatures were expected to increase to between 11 and 14 degrees.
"In the second half of the week temperatures will recover but I use the word recover lightly because it won't seem like the weather has improved with cold and wet conditions prevailing," Mr O'Shea said.
A gale warning issued by Met Éireann last night stated southwest winds would reach gale force this morning on Irish coastal waters from Roches Point to Slyne Head and Fair Head - and further heavy showers are also forecast.