Ireland is set for a sudden weather U-turn with a big temperature swing.
Met Eireann says the country will enjoy a mild Easter weekend with the mercury reaching 17C in parts.
That’s before an incoming cold snap sends temperatures plummeting from Monday.
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In its latest weather forecast, the National Forecaster said it will remain unsettled through the Easter weekend, starting mild before turning cooler into the new week.
Looking ahead to Holy Saturday, it said it will be mild with an east/west split.
It said: “Any overnight mist or fog will clear early on Saturday to give a mostly dry start with sunny spells, though patchy drizzle will affect southern counties. During the afternoon, thickening cloud along with outbreaks of rain will gradually move in across the western half of Ireland, turning heavy, especially in the southwest later.
“Much of the east and northeast will likely stay dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 13C to 17C generally in moderate to fresh southerly winds.”
Met Eireann warned that heavy rain after dark on Saturday could lead to localised flooding.
A forecaster said: “Further outbreaks of rain occurring after-dark with some possibly heavy and persistent falls, leading to localised flooding. A mild and humid night with mist and fog in parts. Lowest temperatures of 9C to 11C in a light southeasterly breeze.”
It will be a wet start to Easter Sunday with the risk of heavy showers all day.
Met Eireann said: “A wet start in many areas with widespread falls of rain early, followed in turn by heavy showers with the chance of hail. Highest temperatures of 12C to 15C, but turning cooler as the rain clears. Breezy in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.
“Becoming largely dry on Sunday night with clear spells, though scattered showers will feed into western coastal areas. A cold night with lowest temperatures of 1C to 4Cin light southwest breezes.”
The sudden weather U-turn will come on bank holiday Monday as temperatures plummet to almost half what they were during the weekend.
The weather agency said: “Feeling cooler on Monday with a mix of sunny spells and blustery showers, some possibly heavy with hail across the north. Highest temperatures of just 9C to 12C in moderate to fresh westerly winds.”
Giving its prediction for the rest of next week, it said: “Staying cool and generally unsettled into next week.”
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