Promising signs for Bank Holiday weekend weather ahead of major shift in temperatures

Sunshine in Ireland

Ireland could be set for a sunny Bank Holiday weekend after a cold start to the last weekend in April that saw temperatures drop to below freezing in places.

The mercury dropped to as low as -2 in places late on Friday night and in the early hours of Saturday morning, with a repeat likely again on Saturday night and Sunday morning as air and grass frost takes hold.

After a spell of sunshine on Sunday morning and afternoon, the forecast for the following few days is for a gloomy end of April and start of May, but thankfully, conditions look like they’ll pick up approaching the Bank Holiday weekend next weekend.

Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather sounded a positive note for late next week and next weekend in a recent update, although he did sound a note of caution that one of the weather models (GFS – Global Forecast System) wasn’t as optimistic looking as the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) version.

Met Éireann’s forecast, meanwhile, doesn’t quite stretch to the Bank Holiday weekend just yet, but there are promising signs for Wednesday and Thursday, which will bring sunshine amidst scattered showers and temperatures of up to 17 degrees.

Before that, there will be plenty of cloudy and wet weather on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures not rising above 14 degrees.

Check out Met Éireann’s forecast for the coming days below.

Saturday

Plenty of sunshine for most this morning and dry in many areas apart from a few isolated showers. Cloudier though in the east and southeast with a band of showers tending to move further westwards across parts of Leinster, east Ulster and east Munster though the morning. The afternoon and evening will bring a mix of sunshine and cloud and some scattered showers, a few heavy, with the showers becoming more isolated later on. Maximum temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in light to moderate northerly breezes.

Any showers will generally die out early on Saturday night to leave it mainly dry and mostly clear. A cold night for late April with a touch of air and grass frost along with some mist or fog patches. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +3 degrees in light northerly or variable breezes.

Sunday

Another cold start on Sunday but with plenty of morning sunshine. Becoming cloudier from the west through the day, with showers spreading eastwards, a few heavy. Highest temperatures ranging from 10 to 13 degrees with a moderate southwest to west breeze developing.

An increasingly breezy night on Sunday night with outbreaks of rain spreading northeastwards across the country. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees with freshening south or southwest winds.

Monday

Generally cloudy and breezy on Monday with outbreaks of rain clearing northeastwards followed by scattered showers. Maximum temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in fresh and gusty south to southwest winds. Drier with some clear spells for a time on Monday night but further outbreaks of rain will spread from the south overnight. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in a moderate southeast breeze.

Tuesday

It looks set to be a mostly cloudy and rather wet day on Tuesday with showers or longer spells of rain. There is the chance of drier and sunnier weather developing later in the day in the south and west. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in a moderate to fresh south or southeast breeze. Clear spells and scattered showers on Tuesday night with the chance of more persistent rain affecting the northern half of the country. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees, coldest in the southwest in a moderate easterly breeze.

Wednesday

It is expected to be a day of sunshine and scattered showers on Wednesday with moderate southeasterly winds. Top temperatures generally ranging from 14 to 17 degrees. Clear spells and a few slow-moving showers on Wednesday night. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees with light and variable winds.

Thursday

Current indications suggest Thursday will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Another fairly mild day with highest temperatures ranging from 14 to 17 degrees.

For the latest breaking news and top stories, visit our homepage.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.