It will be warm and sunny for the most part this weekend as summer weather makes a rare appearance in Ireland. Temperatures will reach the low 20s on Friday and Saturday and as high as 25 degrees on Sunday amid plenty of sunshine before the arrival of heavy rain and potential thunderstorms on Sunday night.
A Mostly Sunny Weekend
Following a washout in parts of the country on Thursday, Friday is set to be dominated by sunny spells with just a few passing showers, with favorable conditions stretching into Saturday and Sunday before taking a turn for the worse on Sunday night. During that mostly fine spell, temperatures will reach the low 20s on Friday and Saturday and as high as 25 degrees on Sunday amid plenty of sunshine and isolated showers, which will hit Connacht and Ulster on Saturday and affect the south and southwest of the country on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Sunday: The Big Change
Sunday is set to start off sunny for most and will feel ‘warm and humid’ before cloud and rain spreads northwards from Munster in the afternoon ‘with the possibility of heavier and persistent rain in the west in the evening,’ according to Met Éireann. Those heavier showers are likely to spread to the east on Sunday evening, potentially leading to thunderstorms in the worst-affected areas. While those heavy showers will linger in the east early on Monday, it will be a dry and sunny day for most of the country, with ‘long spells of sunshine expected and highest temperatures reaching 23 degrees.
The Big Sting in the Tail
Met Éireann is forecasting a brief blast of summer this weekend, but there will be a big sting in the tail later on Sunday evening to end the weekend. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast, Saturday and Sunday will be mainly dry with just isolated showers and temperatures reaching as high as 25 degrees in places. However, there is a big change coming on Sunday evening and through Sunday night with Met Éireann forecasting heavy and persistent rain with thunderstorms possible.
A Detailed Look at the Weekend Forecast
Friday
Sunny spells and just a few passing showers today. Through the late afternoon cloud will build from the southwest with outbreaks of rain developing along the southwest coast by evening time. Highest temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds, strong along coasts and reaching near gale force along the northwest coast.
Most areas dry with clear spells overnight, except for some rain in the south and northwest. Mild with temperatures not falling below 11 to 16 degrees in light to moderate southwest breezes.
Saturday
Sunshine and isolated showers to start, mainly affecting Connacht and Ulster during the first half of the day. Sunshine will turn hazy later on. Rather warm in moderate westerly winds with highs of 18 to 23 degrees, warmest and driest across Leinster and Munster.
Possible patchy drizzle across west and southwest areas, but otherwise staying dry. Lows of 11 to 15 degrees.
Sunday
Generally dry early on with hazy sunny spells for most, cloudier in Munster with light rain. Cloud and light rain will then spread northwards, with the possibility of heavier and persistent rain in the west in the evening. Warm and humid with highs of 19 to 25 degrees in mostly moderate southeasterly winds.
Heavy showers in the east developing overnight with thunderstorms possible. Rain further west will push eastwards across the country overnight, giving way to clear spells. Mild overnight with temperatures not falling below 13 to 16 degrees.
Monday
A dry and sunny start over the western half of the country, with heavy showers lingering in the east. Showers clearing through the day to give long spells of sunshine over the country. Highest temperatures of 19 to 23 degrees with light northwesterly breezes
Looking Ahead: More Unsettled Weather
Met Eireann added that there is considerable “uncertainty” in the further outlook, though current indications suggest that “it will remain unsettled” through the week with low pressure dominating.
