People across Ireland will be soaking up the last of the sunshine today before the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Friday is set to be dry with "spells of sunshine" in the morning but cloud will increase across Leinster, Munster and Connacht during the day with some showers possible, especially during the evening.
And over the weekend, the forecast is set to make a dramatic U-turn, with cloud, rain and an icy chill arriving. According to Met Eireann, temperatures will plunge in the coming days and could drop to below zero on Monday night with frost arriving overnight.
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The national forecaster said: "[It will be] cold on Monday night with clear spells and there is the potential for a widespread frost as temperatures dip back to between -2 and +3 degrees."
While the meteorological service says there is "some uncertainty in the forecast" beyond Sunday, Irish weather expert Alan O'Reilly has been monitoring the long-range forecast.
He has pinpointed a brief blast of cool weather from Sunday and into next week, but reckons warmer air will soon win out.
Sharing the latest weather models on his popular Carlow Weather social media accounts, he said: “If you feel inspired to get the garden furniture out and put away the winter coat you might want to hold off. The weather models are showing a late blast of cold Northerly air heading our way from Sunday for a few days.
“Battleground scenario now for next week with cold to the North and warmth to the South. The cold looks like it could make it to the midlands but then get pushed back however far from certain at present. Most likely a brief cold blast before warmer air wins out.”
Here is the full forecast from Met Eireann:
Friday, April 21
Dry this morning with spells of sunshine for many, but cloud will increase across the southern half of the country as the morning progresses. It will stay largely dry and mostly sunny across Ulster for the remainder of the day. However, it will be cloudier at times across Leinster, Munster and Connacht with some showers possible, especially during the evening. Highest temperatures will range from 12 to 16 degrees, warmest in Ulster with a moderate to fresh northeast breeze.
It looks set to be mostly cloudy overnight with occasional light rain or drizzle. However, some northern and northwestern areas will be dry and clear. Minimum temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in a moderate east to northeast breeze.
Saturday, April 22
Saturday is expected to be a mostly cloudy day with showery rain at times. At present, the lengthiest dry and bright spells are expected across west Connacht and west Ulster. Top temperatures generally ranging 9 to 12 degrees but touching 13 or 14 degrees in any brighter spells with light to moderate northerly or variable winds.
Saturday night: Showery rain in the east and south is expected to clear on Saturday night to leave a cold night with clear spells and variable amounts of cloud. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees in light or moderate northerly breezes.
Sunday, April 23
Some bright spells on Sunday but there will be a good deal of cloud about overall with scattered showers. Showers may turn heavy and prolonged in the northeast later in the day. Maximum temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees, coolest in the north in moderate northwest winds. On Sunday night, showers will continue across the north and east but with long dry periods in the south and west. A cold night with lowest temperatures ranging from 2 to 5 degrees in light northerly winds.
Monday, April 24
A fresh and breezy day on Monday with a mix of cloud and some bright spells. It is expected to remain largely dry but the odd shower may occur. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in a fresh and gusty northerly breeze. Cold on Monday night with clear spells and there is the potential for a widespread frost as temperatures dip back to between -2 and +3 degrees.
Tuesday, April 25
A cold and mostly sunny start on Tuesday with frost in places. Cloud will build up during the day and outbreaks of rain will develop in the southwest towards evening time. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in moderate southeast winds. Rain will extend countrywide on Tuesday night and it will turn rather windy. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees early in the night, but it will turn milder towards morning.
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