Ireland is to be briefly plunged into colder temperatures after a week of warm and largely dry weather - but one weather expert is predicting the return of warmer climes soon after.
Rain has replaced the glorious sunshine enjoyed in many parts during the week with heavy showers to continue on Saturday with temperatures falling to as low as 3 degrees in some areas.
Frosty nights will return over the weekend too but Met Éireann is also predicting the wintry spell will be relatively brief.
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They say the coming days will be unsettled but it will become "milder from Thursday onwards."
Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather is also predicting a short sharp cold blast before a return to some heat on the horizon.
Sharing a weather model running until early May, he said: "Scaraveen weather to start the coming week with a quick blast of cold air plunging down from the North. Animation shows forecast of upper air temperatures. If you watch to the end though you can see some hope of warmth to start May."
Met Eireann say that Saturday will be "generally cloudy with outbreaks of rain in Ulster, Connacht, north Leinster and north Munster. Elsewhere there will be heavy showers, with the possibility of hail, spot flooding and isolated thunderstorms. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in a light variable or northeast breeze."
They add: "Sunday morning will be dry for many with sunny spells but there will be lingering patchy rain and drizzle in parts of the east and south. This rain will clear by the afternoon, with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers developing for the rest of the day. Highest temperatures of 10 degrees in the north to 15 degrees in the south in light to moderate northerly winds.
"Monday will be cool with a fair amount of cloud and scattered showers. These will gradually die out by early evening with sunny spells for the rest of the day.
"Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with moderate northerly breezes. Monday night will be cold with clear spells and with frost in many areas. Lowest temperatures of -2 and +3 degrees.
"Tuesday will start off dry with sunny spells and frost quickly clearing. Cloud will gradually increase from the southwest. During the afternoon, rain will develop in the southwest and will spread northeastwards across the country through the evening and night. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with moderate east to southeast winds. Rain will continue through Tuesday night. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees early in the night, but it will turn milder towards morning.
"Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with further outbreaks of rain. Some drier intervals will develop also, especially later in the day. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, light to moderate south to southeast winds.
"Thursday, Friday and next weekend will be mostly mild and humid with rain or showers at times. Temperatures will be in the mid teens with mostly light to moderate southerly winds."
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