Thousands of people across Ireland will enjoy two weeks off from Friday as schools close for the Easter break.
The weather will have a big impact on how adults and children alike spend the holidays, with hopes high that dry and sunny conditions are on the way.
It seems those dreams could become a reality as Met Eireann has forecast a balmy period with unseasonably warm conditions.
A big change is expected next week thanks to the arrival of 'tropical air' over Ireland.
This will bring milder and cloudy conditions with above-average temperatures from April 15 until April 21.
Before then, the first week of the Easter holidays will see a big chill with rain and some frost.
Met Eireann's forecast for April 8 to 14 says: "Over the coming week low pressure looks set to dominate the weather over Ireland, bringing spells of rain or showers and polar air at times.
"Rainfall amounts will be above average for the entire country. Mean temperatures will be average or slightly below at times, with frost likely on some nights. There should be some sunny breaks too."
Its long-range forecast for April 15 to 21 says: "In week 2 low pressure will continue to dominate but there is a signal for some milder tropical air to be introduced over the country, bringing with it above average rainfalls, with the highest amounts in the west and south. It will be milder and cloudy with above average temperatures and night frosts unlikely."
As for the latest national forecast, Met Eireann says the rest of Thursday will be cool and blustery with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers. The showers will become more isolated in the evening, with highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees.
Thursday night will be mainly dry with clear spells, however showers will develop in the north and northwest overnight, some wintry with a few snow flurries possible on hills and mountains.
It will be cold with lowest temperatures of -2 to+ 2 degrees with frost and some icy patches developing.
A forecaster said: "Friday will start off cold and bright, with frost and icy patches gradually clearing. Scattered showers in the north and northwest will extend southwards during the day, some possibly wintry especially on high ground. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees.
"Largely dry and clear [on Friday night] but another cold night in store with lowest temperatures of -2 to +1 degrees. A touch of frost is possible and winds will be light.
"Dry and sunny across much of the country [on Saturday], but some scattered showers in the afternoon, mainly in the north. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees with light breezes.
"Becoming very cloudy especially across the south of the country from early in the evening [on Saturday] and as the cloud spreads further north across the country during the night outbreaks of rain will follow and will be heavy at times in the south and west. Winds will turn strong and southerly with overnight lows of 2 to 5 degrees.
"Wet and windy [on Sunday] for much of the day with possible localised flooding. Southeasterly winds will be fresh to strong with highs of 12 to 14 degrees.
"Continuing very wet and windy [on Sunday night] with overcast skies and bands of rain moving over the country. The rain will be heavy at times with possible localised flooding. Blustery too with strong southerlies and lows of 8 to 10 degrees."
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