Ireland is set for an early blast of warm summer weather, with long-range forecasts showing above average temperatures for the first half of April.
The weather is due to take a turn for the better next week as high pressure pushes the rain away and brings more settled conditions.
Low pressure in the Atlantic has been the driving force behind Ireland’s recent miserable weather, however a switch to high pressure is being signalled from Monday, April 3 right through until at least Sunday, April 16.
In general, low pressure causes unsettled weather conditions, while high pressure leads to a more settled set up.
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Looking ahead to next week, the national forecaster said: “Ireland’s weather will be somewhat varied in the week of April 3 to April 9. Overall, high pressure will dominate with anticyclones located to the east of the country around the beginning and end of the week.
“The mid-week will turn more unsettled with some passing weather fronts expected, although the overall rainfall accumulations will stay slightly below average for early April. Temperatures will be somewhat above average while the winds will be predominantly westerly or southwesterly.”
For the following week, its long-range forecast continued: “Overall, high pressure is expected to continue dominating for the week of April 10 to April 15, though there will likely be some more unsettled periods as well. Rainfall accumulations will be close to average for the time of year, possibly a bit wetter towards the south of the country and a bit drier towards the north. Temperatures will remain marginally above average with generally westerly winds.”
From mid-April, It said “uncertainty increases” for the second half of the month.
However, before the turn to the early summer weather, Ireland can expect more wet conditions at times. Further heavy showers are forecast for today, with a chance of flooding in parts.
Met Eireann said: "A band of rain will persist over the north, northeast and east Saturday giving the chance of spot flooding. Heavy showers in the southwest will clear this morning. The Connacht and Munster will become mainly dry with isolated showers and some sunny spells. Breezy at times with moderate to fresh northwest winds. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C .
"Patchy rain in eastern and northeastern counties will eventually die out overnight. Dry and mostly clear elsewhere. A slight frost is possible over the western half of the country with lowest temperatures of 0C to 3C , not as cold further east under cloudier skies. Northwest winds will ease early tonight becoming largely calm."
It will be a better day tomorrow, with the forecast reading: "Sunday will be a mainly dry day with varying cloud cover and good spells of hazy sunshine. There may be light isolated showers in some parts. Highest temperatures of 10C to 13C . Mostly calm conditions, with light southerly winds developing later.
"Mostly clear, becoming cloudier in the west and southwest before morning. Light or moderate southwest winds, fresher winds near some Atlantic coasts. A chilly night with lows of 3C to 6C."
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