Ireland has been enjoying mild temperatures in recent weeks, with the warmest day of the year so far recorded last week.
A high of 22.1C was hit in Oak Park, Carlow on June 15 and the country has basked in warm weather since. Thursday could see that record beaten, with 24C forecast for some areas.
Met Eireann said: “Thursday morning will start generally cloudy with some patchy light rain and drizzle in the west and northwest.
“It will become drier and brighter during the afternoon and evening, with good sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures of 17C to 23C, possibly touching 24C in the best of the sunshine in the southeast, in a light to moderate southwesterly breeze.”
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But according to the national forecaster, the weather is due to take a horrible turn from Friday.
Met Eireann says that an area of low pressure will dominate our weather, bringing unsettled conditions with heavy rain and cooler temperatures.
High and low pressure systems cause day-to-day changes in our weather. In general, low pressure leads to unsettled weather conditions and high pressure leads to settled weather conditions.
Looking ahead to the week beginning on Friday, a Met Eireann forecaster said: “Low pressure to the north of Ireland will maintain a generally westerly airflow over the period, becoming strong at times near coasts.
“The low pressure will provide generally unsettled conditions with a good deal of cloud and frequent bands of showery rain.
“The week is forecast to see around 20mm more precipitation than usual for the time of year, with temperatures around 2C cooler than average.”
Giving a day-to-day breakdown of the weather for this weekend, it said of Friday: “A dull and wet day with outbreaks of showery rain spreading across the country from the west, turning heavy at times.
“Highest temperatures of 15C to 19C in light to moderate southerly winds.
“A mix of clear spells and scattered showers on Friday night, some showers possibly turning heavy. Lowest temperatures of 9C to 13C in moderate to fresh southerly winds.”
For Saturday, it continued: “A rather cloudy and breezy day with widespread showers, some turning heavy. Highest temperatures of 13C to 17C in moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds.”
Its forecast for Sunday reads: “A mix of sunny spells and widespread showers on Sunday. Showers will turn heavy and potentially thundery through the afternoon and evening.
“Another rather breezy day in moderate to fresh southerly winds. Highest temperatures of 14C to 18C.”
The low pressure system is set to influence the weather into next week, with Met Eireann saying: “Staying generally unsettled as low pressure dominates our weather, bringing showers or longer spells of rain at times.”
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