Spring equinox to bring temperature highs of 18C ahead of weekend washout

Temperatures today will hit highs of 13C to 18C, with Met Éireann saying the Midlands and the West will see the warmest weather. File picture: Denis Scannell

As astronomical spring begins, the weather is set to be brighter with long spells of sunshine and temperatures of 18C in store for Thursday. 

However, it isn't going to last. 

The spring equinox, marking the first day of astronomical spring, occurred at 9.01am on Thursday. The equinox sees the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight — meaning day and night are more or less equal all over the world.

As the Earth travels around the sun at an angle, the March equinox sees the Northern Hemisphere begin to point towards the sun bringing longer and warmer days. 

Meteorological spring always starts on March 1 while astronomical spring, or the equinox, begins around March 20 each year.

However, while the equinox is bringing some good weather, Met Éireann says long spells of rain and low temperatures are expected this weekend. 

Temperatures today will hit highs of 13C to 18C, with Met Éireann saying the Midlands and the West will see the warmest weather. 

It will then remain dry with clear spells on Thursday night before clouds gradually build from the south, with showers or longer spells of rain expected in the southern parts of Munster and Leinster before spreading elsewhere towards dawn. 

On Friday, cloudy weather and scattered showers will merge to give way to "longer spells of rain at times". Some heavy or thundery downpours are also possible, especially in the South and West. Temperatures are expected to stay between 11C and 16C. 

Friday night will see more outbreaks of rain with some mist. Lows of 5C to 9C are expected with moderate to fresh winds near the western and southwestern coasts overnight. 

Saturday will be "mostly cloudy" with showers or longer spells of rain, turning heavy at times. Highs of 9C to 13C are expected but Met Éireann say it should turn colder through the afternoon. 

Longer spells of rain are due for Saturday night before it starts turning drier from the West overnight. 

Sunday will see rain clear from the east with a mix of cloud and sunny spells set for the rest of the country. Highs of 8C to 11C are expected during the day before cold and dry weather comes in on Sunday night, with lows of between 0C and 4C expected. 

Looking into next week, Met Éireann says Monday should remain dry and bright with sunny spells across the eastern half of the country. It should then become cloudier with some drizzle near Atlantic coasts later in the day. 

The outlook for next week suggests that a high-pressure system looks set to "be the more dominant influence into midweek" which should bring "quiet and benign conditions" but with the chance of light showers. 

WEATHER CENTRE

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