The recent Easter weekend resembled hazy days of summer rather than the usual spring weather conditions.
Temperatures rose and the sun shone down as locals flocked to the coast and tourists checked their maps to make sure they hadn’t taken a wrong turn.
But as is often the case in Ireland, we have been left somewhat bewildered and once again reaching for an extra layer with a quizzical look that asks, “is that it?”
YOU WERE WARNED!
As predicted in last week’s glorious forecast, the unexpected warm weather was not to last and next weekend is set to bring cooler temperatures, wind and rain.
According to Irish Meteorological Service, Met Eireann, we can expect thundery downpours on Thursday, starting in Ulster before working their way South.
Temperatures will drop to between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius while winds in the Southeast will begin to pick up, becoming gusty at times.
DON’T SHUT THE WINTER WARDROBE JUST YET!
By Friday you will be wrapping the cardigan a bit tighter as temperatures drop again to between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius, below average for this time of year.
Wet weather will dampen spirits even more with Friday lunchtime showing the entire country under a blanket of rain.
Saturday is predicted to appear under a large black cloud with thunder forecast in Connacht and ground frost welcoming the day in the East.
Rain is forecast across every county over the morning with only skies in the Southeast of Ireland clearing enough to allow the sun to breakthrough for a short period of time.
Intermittent sunny spells will begin to break through in the North as the day progresses with rain clearing in the West and East towards nightfall.
It will continue to be wet in the Southwest, with West Cork and Kerry experiencing even more rain until dawn.
COLD NIGHTS
Nights will feel progressively colder across Ireland over the weekend with temperatures dropping as low as between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius, lower than average in April.
Grass frost will appear early Sunday morning in the East and across rural areas of the country.
The weekend will continue a little dryer but with cloudy skies remaining in the North and West.
Clouds are forecast to clear in the capital but temperatures will struggle to climb, leaving it feeling fresher than usual for the time of year.
A final blast of wet weather and high winds are predicted to sweep across Ireland on Sunday afternoon with temperatures remaining between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius at best.
With very little sun predicted, rain on the way and hazy days becoming a distant memory with every cloud that passes, it is safe to say summer is not yet in sight.
Penny’s beach range might be hitting the shelves but it is not time to fill the shopping basket just yet.
