Dry weekend with sunshine and highs of 22C forecast before wet weather next week

Beautiful sunshine at the Front Strand in Youghal, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Dry and warm weather is set to dominate this weekend, with plenty of sunny spells in store.

However, while Ireland is expected to enjoy some of its best weather of recent weeks, Met Éireann has said unsettled conditions will return next week, with spells of rain and showers moving across the country due to an active Atlantic weather pattern.

Friday morning saw rain and mist clear away, with dry weather set to dominate for the remainder of the day. Bright or sunny spells will develop, with highs of around 14C in the north and 19C to 20C in the south. Ulster will see some scattered showers.

Dry weather will continue on Friday night with a mix of cloud and clear spells. Overnight lows of 7C to 11C are forecast.

Saturday will bring similar conditions, with “spells of warm summer sunshine”, which may be hazy at times. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 16C to 22C, with the warmest conditions in the south and east.

Saturday night will remain largely dry, although coastal and hill fog is expected to develop in southern areas. Temperatures will fall to between 8C and 12C.

Sunday will begin on a cloudy note, with isolated showers affecting Ulster. However, conditions are expected to improve through the day, with hazy sunshine developing and temperatures reaching 17C to 22C.

Cloud will begin to spread from the southwest on Sunday night, bringing patchy outbreaks of light rain, drizzle and mist. Overnight temperatures will range from 9C to 12C.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday will start dry, but rain, drizzle and mist will spread from the southwest through the morning, becoming showery as conditions clear northeastwards. 

There will be occasional sunny spells later in the day, while humid conditions will see temperatures reach 17C to 21C.

Cloud and clear spells will continue into Monday night, with showery outbreaks mainly affecting the northeast. Rain and drizzle will also move into the southwest ahead of Tuesday morning.

Tuesday is expected to be generally cloudy, with “odd hazy sunny spells”. 

Showery outbreaks of rain and drizzle will continue to spread northeastwards during the morning before “a more persistent band of rain” arrives later. Highs of 15C to 18C are forecast.

Wednesday is expected to be largely cloudy and wet, with widespread rain and drizzle. Conditions may turn heavy at times in the west and southwest, with temperatures reaching between 14C and 19C.