Met Éireann predicts 10C temperature plunge after weekend heat blast

Temperatures in Ireland are due to take a nosedive this week after a relatively dry and warm weekend, according to Met Éireann.

Temperatures peaked at 23C in parts of the Midlands on Saturday while Sunday and Monday also delivered some lovely dry, warm and bright weather.

That looks set to change this week as Met Éireann predicts a huge 10C swing in temperature and a largely unsettled picture for the week ahead.

Scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle will break the dry spell on Monday night and will develop in west Connacht and Ulster overnight whilst it will remain mostly dry elsewhere.

Monday night will be a "mild and humid night with lowest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees in light or moderate southwest winds, which will increase fresh on northwestern coasts."

Met Éireann says it will be "mostly cloudy on Tuesday with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle affecting west Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

"It looks set to stay largely dry elsewhere apart from the odd light shower. Another fairly warm and humid day with highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees, warmest in eastern and southeastern areas. Southwest winds will increase fresh and gusty. Rain becoming more persistent in the north and northwest by evening."

Wednesday will bring heavy rain and cooler temperatures before an unsettled weekend.

"Heavy rain across the southern half of Ireland on Wednesday morning will become more intermittent by afternoon. Drier and brighter conditions in northern counties will extend gradually south during the day. However, it looks set to remain cloudy with occasional rain in southern coastal areas. Maximum afternoon temperatures will generally range from 12 to 15 degrees, mildest along the south coast with a moderate northerly breeze developing.

"On Wednesday night, it will stay rather cloudy in southern coastal counties with a few spots of rain or drizzle possible. Elsewhere, it will be dry with clear spells. Lowest temperatures generally ranging 4 to 8 degrees but a few degrees milder along the south coast," forecasters added.

"A dry day is forecast across most of the country on Thursday with sunny spells and varying amounts of cloud. Highest temperatures will range from 12 to 15 degrees with light southerly or variable winds. Rain will spread across much Munster, Leinster and Connacht on Thursday night but hold largely dry over Ulster. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in Ulster but ranging 10 to 13 degrees elsewhere with light variable winds.

"It looks set to be mostly cloudy on Friday with outbreaks of rain across Leinster and Munster. It looks set to hold largely dry across Connacht and Ulster with some sunny spells developing later in the day. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate northwest winds. Rain is expected to clear from the southeast on Friday evening to leave a mostly dry night with clear spells and just a few showers in the northwest. A chilly night with lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees."

Looking ahead to next weekend, "early indications suggest it will be cool and breezy with sunshine and passing showers."