Warmer temperatures are predicted to make a return in days after the current gloomy weather dissipates.
Met Eireann says the next few days will bring a mixed bag of weather to Ireland, with thunderstorms, hail, heavy downpours and fog all forecast in-between sunny spells.
But an early taste of summer weather is on the cards next week, with a surge in temperatures and more settled conditions.
READ MORE: Urgent warning for Irish travelling to Spain as extreme weather forecast for holiday hotspots
Spain is currently experiencing a record-breaking heatwave and there’s a chance it could have a knock-on effect on Ireland’s weather.
Temperatures reached a blistering 38.7C in the popular holiday destination this week as a mass of very hot air from north Africa travels across the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic islands.
Long-range weather maps show signs the warmer air could travel up through France and may even touch Ireland next week.
Irish weather expert Alan O’Reilly shared models on his Carlow Weather social media accounts, writing: “Spain actually hit 38.7C at Cordoba Airport on Thursday. The heat will ease off a little there now but warmer air will push up again next week and we will see milder air too with temps up to high teens tomorrow and over the weekend and possibly even 20C next week.”
Met Eireann has ruled out a ‘mini heatwave’ but has confirmed there will be “a lot of dry and mild weather next week”.
It said: “Mean air temperatures will be above average for early May by 2C or 3C with frost free conditions expected too. Overall next week it will likely be drier than normal for most if not all areas.”
The meteorological service said mildest conditions are expected towards the start of next week, with temperatures possibly treading backwards towards next weekend.
In the meantime though, Ireland can expect a cloudy and wet start to the bank holiday weekend - before a positive weather U-turn from Monday with temperatures reaching near 20C.
Giving a day by day breakdown of the weather, Met Eireann said: “Cloudy at first Saturday morning with some mist or fog in parts, dry for many with isolated showers. Cloud will lift with sunny spells developing during the day although coastal fog may linger locally. Scattered heavy showers will break out in the afternoon and evening. Local downpours bring a chance of isolated lightning, hail and spot flooding. Highest temperatures of 15C to 18C, perhaps reaching 19C. Mostly light southerly or variable winds, occasionally moderate.
“Largely dry in the south early Saturday night with heavy showers continuing further north. Mostly cloudy and becoming misty with some fog patches. Further showers will spread from the Atlantic during the night. Lowest temperatures of 8C to 11C. Light breezes, mostly southwesterly in direction.
“Another mostly cloudy start Sunday with scattered showers, heavy for a time early on near the east coast. Cloud will break up to sunny spells during the day. Showers will turn heavy or possibly thundery later in the day, mainly in the east and north, bringing a risk of spot flooding and hail. Highest temperatures of 15C to 18C for many, cooler along Atlantic coasts. Light or moderate westerly breezes.
“Showers will die out early Sunday night becoming mostly dry with just the odd light shower overnight. Mix of cloud and clear spells, becoming cloudier overnight. Lowest temperatures of 7C to 10C with light northwest winds, moderate winds near northern coasts.
“Monday morning will be mostly cloudy with hazy sunny spells in the afternoon and evening. There will be a few passing showers during the day, although not as heavy as previous days. Highs around 15C to 18C for most with a light northwest breeze, cooler and a little breezier in the north.
“Mostly dry and clear Monday night with little wind. Some cloud will build through the night along with some pockets of fog. A chiller night with lows of 4C to 7C for most, down to 1C or 2C in parts of the north.
“A mix of cloud and hazy sunshine Tuesday. Dry in most areas with the chance of the odd shower, especially near western coasts later. Very mild with highs of 16C to 19C, cooler towards the coast. Mostly light southwest winds, moderate along Atlantic coasts.
“Wednesday is looking cloudier overall with a chance of a little rain at times, although many places will likely be dry. Light to moderate southeast winds, possibly fresher in the southwest. Temperatures dropping back a little to between 13C to 16C.
“Current indications are showing a lot of dry weather for Thursday, but feeling cooler in moderate to fresh southeast winds, best temperatures in the west.”
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