After a turbulent few weeks of weather which included Storm Noa smashing into Ireland, thermometers are finally set to soar.
High pressure is forecast to dominate over the coming days, resulting in mild weather and mainly dry conditions.
Met Eireann says Ireland could see its warmest day of the year so far over the weekend, with highs of 18C forecast for Sunday.
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The early taste of summer weather is set to continue into next week before more unsettled conditions return the following weekend.
However, long-range weather maps show Ireland’s fortunes could change once again towards the end of April.
While subject to change this far out, models show temperatures as high as 24C on April 26 and April 27.
British meteorologist Jim Dale has likened the long-range forecast to a ‘soft heatwave’ however Met Eireann has ruled this out.
Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above average temperatures, but a Met Eireann forecaster previously told the Irish Mirror: "That is a working definition used by some other met offices, but the Met Eireann definition of a heatwave is five consecutive days of temperatures above 25C.”
Instead, Met Eireann’s long-range forecast for the end of April reads: “There is a weak signal for low pressure to be the dominant feature of our weather from April 24 to 30. Conditions will likely be changeable or unsettled. This week is predicted to have average temperatures and precipitation.
“There is no signal for either low or high pressure to be dominant during the week of May 1 to May 7. This week will likely be changeable with some settled and unsettled periods. Precipitation amounts are predicted to be near average for mainly places, with temperatures slightly higher than normal for the time of year.”
In the meantime, more settled weather conditions will kick in from this weekend, with the south east of the country pinpointed to get the best of it.
Giving Saturday’s forecast, it said: “Dry at first Saturday with sunny spells but cloud in the southwest will gradually extend across the country with outbreaks of rain and drizzle following. Driest in the east and southeast. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C with moderate southerly winds developing, fresher at times in the west and northwest.
“Largely cloudy Saturday night with patches of light rain and drizzle. Southerly winds will fall light allowing mist and fog patches to develop. Lowest temperatures of 6C to 10C.
On Sunday, temperatures could reach 18C in parts.
The national forecaster said: “A dull start Sunday with patchy outbreaks of light rain and drizzle along with lingering patches of mist and fog. Becoming drier with some sunny spells developing as the day goes on. Mild with highest temperatures of 14C to 17C generally, possibly reaching 18C, with light to moderate southerly breezes.
“Mostly dry Sunday night with a mix of cloud and clear spells, and just some spots of light rain and drizzle. Staying mild overnight with temperatures not falling below 8C to 10C in light to moderate southerly winds, fresher in the west. Some mist and fog patches will also develop.”
The mild weather is forecast to continue into next week.
Met Eireann continued: “A good deal of cloud Monday morning with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle. The rain and drizzle will die away through the afternoon as sunny spells develop. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C in mostly moderate southerly breezes.
Dry overnight Monday with long clear spells. Fog will form in light southeasterly or variable breezes. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 7C.
“A mostly dry and sunny day Tuesday with just isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 15C to 18C generally, cooler near southern and eastern coasts due to an onshore breeze.
“Current indications suggest that Wednesday will be a cooler day before turning milder again for Thursday. Both will be mostly dry days with just a scattering of showers. High pressure will then likely decline allowing for more unsettled conditions to develop.”
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