People across Ireland getting ready to enjoy the summer following the recent sunshine and warmth could get a nasty surprise during the final days of April.
Ireland recorded its warmest day of the year so far over the weekend, with thermometers going higher than 20C in three separate locations on Sunday.
But the forecast is set to make a dramatic U-turn, as incoming low pressure replaces the high, with an icy chill pushing in from the east.
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According to Met Eireann, temperatures will plunge in the coming days with some cool nights on the cards. The national forecaster says it could potentially turn frosty at nights, while during the day it will feel fresh at times in an easterly wind.
Some long-range weather maps show the potential for light snowfall early next week, but Met Eireann has ruled this out with no mention of it in its official forecast.
While the meteorological service says there is "some uncertainty in the forecast" beyond Sunday, Irish weather expert Alan O'Reilly has been monitoring the long-range forecast.
He has pinpointed a brief blast of cool weather from Sunday and into next week, but reckons warmer air will soon win out.
Sharing the latest weather models on his popular Carlow Weather social media accounts, he said: “If you feel inspired to get the garden furniture out and put away the winter coat you might want to hold off. The weather models are showing a late blast of cold Northerly air heading our way from Sunday for a few days.
“Battleground scenario now for next week with cold to the North and warmth to the South. The cold looks like it could make it to the midlands but then get pushed back however far from certain at present. Most likely a brief cold blast before warmer air wins out.”
Meanwhile, giving a day-by-day breakdown of the weather over the coming days, Met Eireann said: “Thursday afternoon and evening will be dry and mostly sunny. Highest temperatures of 11C to 14C, coolest in the east and warmest in the west with moderate to fresh east to southeast breezes.
“Thursday night will be dry with long clear spells. Cloud will increase in the southeast towards morning. and clear on Thursday night. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 5C with a touch of frost in places.
“Friday morning will be largely dry with good sunshine over the northern half of the country and cloud increasing further south. In the afternoon, outbreaks of rain and drizzle will develop across Leinster and Munster where temperatures will range from 11C to 13C. Warmer to the west and north with highs of 14C or 15C. Winds will be moderate to fresh easterly.
“Mostly cloudy on Friday night with patchy rain and drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 4C to 6C as light to moderate easterly breezes become northerly by morning.
“Saturday will be a mostly cloudy day with showers or longer spells of rain. Highest temperatures of 9C or 10C over the northern half of the country and between 13C and 15C further south with light northerly breezes.
“Mainly dry on Sunday to start with some sunshine, afternoon showers will develop. Temperatures on Sunday between 7C and 9C in the north and 10C or 11C in the south.
“Currently it looks like it could potentially turn frosty on Sunday night.
“With some uncertainty in the forecast, the best indication at the moment suggests Monday will be mainly dry with sunny spells and just isolated showers. Temperatures between 8C and 10C in light northerly winds.”
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