Ireland could be in for a shock cold snap within weeks according to some long-range weather forecast models.
Certain charts are showing “unusually cold air” moving across Ireland at the start of May.
The long-range weather models are not certain and subject to change, but one weather expert has said it’s “something to keep an eye on”.
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Sharing pictures of the charts on his Carlow Weather Twitter account, Alan O’Reilly said: “Those that follow the Celtic seasons say Summer starts in May. Well the weather shows a risk of unusually cold air moving down around the start of May with high pressure to the North. Far from certain but something to keep an eye on.”
It comes after a surprise temperature swing has left Ireland basking in 17C heat - making the country warmer than parts of Spain.
Met Eireann says the coming days will see “generally a lot of dry weather with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid teens.”
Its forecast for Thursday reads: “Today will be largely dry with hazy sunny spells and isolated showers, with the chance of a few heavy showers in the west. It will be cloudier in the southwest for a time early this afternoon with a few patches of light rain. Highest temperatures of 13C to 17C in a moderate to fresh east to southeast breeze.
“Tonight will be largely dry with clear spells and just a few light showers in the south and southwest. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 8C with light to moderate northeasterly winds.”
Looking ahead to Friday, it continued: “Tomorrow morning will be largely dry with hazy sunny spells and just isolated light showers. It will become cloudier over the southern half of the country through the day with scattered outbreaks of rain at times. Becoming breezy in moderate to fresh east to northeast winds with highest temperatures of 13C to 16C.
“Mostly dry on Friday night with clear spells developing for a time, but becoming cloudier again later. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in a light to moderate northeasterly wind.”
There will be more of the same across the weekend.
The National Forecaster said: “On Saturday morning it will be dry with sunny spells over the northern half of the country but it will be cloudier further south with patches of light rain. During the afternoon, sunny spells and scattered showers will develop. The showers will be most frequent in the south and east but by evening most areas will be dry. Highest temperatures of 12C to 15C degrees in a moderate to fresh northeasterly breeze.
“Dry with sunny spells during the morning on Sunday but well scattered showers will pop up in the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 11C to 15C, mildest in the southwest, with the light to moderate northeasterly wind continuing.”
Met Eireann says there will be “little change into midweek with showers at times but overall a lot of dry weather and maximum daytime temperatures staying around 11C to 15C, best in the west.”
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