Mercury could hit 18 degrees today

Weather update from Met Éireann

Dry, bright and mild or even rather warm for some today, Thursday, with long spells of hazy sunshine. Highest temperatures 13 to 18 degrees, best values across the Midlands and West. Light to moderate southeast winds, occasionally fresh in Munster.

Dry with clear spells to begin tonight. Cloud will gradually build from the south, bringing showers or perhaps longer spells of rain to southern parts of Munster and Leinster at first, then spreading elsewhere towards dawn. Milder than recent nights with temperatures no lower than 7 to 10 degrees in moderate to fresh southeasterly winds decreasing light to moderate by morning.

Mostly cloudy tomorrow, Friday, with scattered showers, the showers merging to give longer spells of rain at times. A few heavy or thundery downpours are possible, especially in the south and west. Highest temperatures of 11 to 16 degrees in light to moderate east to southeast breezes.

There'll be further outbreaks of rain on Friday night along with areas of mist and drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in mostly light southeast or variable breezes but moderate to fresh northerly winds will develop near western and southwestern coasts overnight.

Mostly cloudy on Saturday with showers or longer spells of rain, turning heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees in the east but turning colder through the afternoon as light variable winds turn light to moderate, occasionally fresh northwest. Colder further west with afternoon highs of just 6 to 8 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds, strong and gusty near Atlantic coasts. Further showers or longer spells of rain on Saturday night but turning drier from the west overnight. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds.

Patchy rain is expected to clear from eastern areas early on Sunday to leave a generally dry day across the country with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds. Dry and cold night on Sunday night with clear spells and mainly light northwest breezes. Lowest temperatures of between zero and plus 4 degrees.

Monday will be mainly dry and bright with sunny spells across the eastern half of the country. It will be cloudier further west with patchy drizzle possible near Atlantic coasts later in the day. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in light northerly breezes.

Further Outlook: High pressure looks set to be the more dominant influence into midweek next week bringing generally quiet and benign conditions but with the chance of scattered light showers.