Bluebells in bloom in the forest in Virginia. Photo: Marion Clancy

Temperatures to hit 18 degrees right through the weekend

Weather update from Met Éireann

Largely settled conditions for the coming days with high pressure dominating. Milder than average for the time of year with temperatures in the mid to high-teens generally. Becoming more unsettled next week.

Mostly cloudy this morning with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle. Showery rain will extend across the country during the afternoon and evening but amounts will be quite small. Sunny intervals will develop too as the day goes on. Warm and humid with highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in mostly light to moderate southwest winds, increasing fresh to strong along Atlantic coasts.

Tonight will be largely dry at first but a band of persistent rain will push down from the northwest, though parts of the south and east will stay dry until morning with some mist and hill fog developing. Continuing mild and humid overnight with temperatures not falling below 8 to 11 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds, fresh to strong in the west and northwest.

A wet start to the day tomorrow (Friday) as rain, heavy in places with some thundery downpours possible, gradually clearing southeastwards later in the afternoon. Sunny spells and well scattered showers from later in the morning in the northwest will follow in the clearance. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds, gradually veering northwesterly behind the rain.

Mostly dry on Friday night with long clear spells and just the odd stray shower. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees generally. Becoming quite foggy overnight in light breezes or calm conditions.

Saturday will see mist and fog will clear from most areas in the morning though light variable breezes will allow some coastal fog to persist through the day. A largely dry day but becoming cloudy from the west through the morning with a few patches of light rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees.

Predominately dry overnight on Saturday with just a few patches of light rain or drizzle. Towards morning, a band of rain will move into parts of Connacht. Mild with temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 degrees. Light southerly breezes will allow some mist and fog to develop.

Sunday will begin with a good deal of cloud with outbreaks of rain tracking eastwards across the country, becoming patchier as it does so. Sunny spells will follow through the morning and afternoon as good dry intervals develop. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly breezes. Continuing largely dry and mild overnight with a few patches of drizzle. Some mist and fog will develop again in mostly light breezes.

Monday is expected mild and humid with patchy outbreaks of light rain and drizzle. A good deal of cloud too but some sunny spells will break through at times. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds. Towards the evening, outbreaks of showery rain will move in from the Atlantic, extending northeastwards, becoming patchier as it does so.

Further Outlook: Some uncertainty in the details further out but it will be generally mild with spells of rain at times.