'This is not a drill' - Irish weather forecast pinpoints return of mid-20s temps

The June Bank Holiday weekend "is shaping up to be a cracker" on the weather front, according to Offaly forecaster Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel.

Cathal says: "High pressure looks like developing to the west of Ireland through Wednesday, before pushing directly across the country over the June Bank Holiday weekend bringing with it dry, settled weather, with plenty of good summer sunshine also.

"The development of this high pressure would seem rather robust with strong confidence levels being observed in the various weather models. There’s also confidence that the settled will last well beyond the Bank Holiday weekend itself.

"This is excellent news for everybody, but especially so for farmers struggling to find a window to save silage or for considering cutting for hay, and for horticulturalists and gardeners alike, or indeed for those in need of good outdoor weather in general.

"Though still some distance away we can have confidence in this forecast, with other variables such as temperature and sunshine values a little more uncertain, though for now temperatures would be in the low to mid 20s, with plenty of sunshine expected also.

"In short, the June Bank Holiday weekend 2024 is shaping up to be a cracker," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann too is pointing towards a change in our weather fortunes. 

Their immediate outlook says Ireland is set to endure "changeable weather with showers at times" but that appears to all change next weekend in time for the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Met Éireann's forecast for this week says: "Outbreaks of rain and drizzle over Ulster will clear quickly in the morning [Tuesday] leaving a day of sunshine and scattered showers. A few heavy or thundery downpours are possible, especially in the northeast. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in moderate southwest breezes.

"Cloudy skies along with scattered falls of rain and drizzle on Wednesday morning. It will turn brighter into the afternoon with long sunny spells developing with just a few scattered showers. A fine and mostly sunny evening is expected. Maximum temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds.

"Largely dry on Wednesday night with clear spells, though there will be a few passing showers, especially in the west and north. Moderate northwesterly winds will be fresher near coasts.

"A bright day is forecast on Thursday with plenty of dry weather and just a few passing showers. The best of the sunshine is expected in the east and south of the country. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees, warmest in the southeast, in moderate to fresh northwesterly winds, easing during the evening.

"A mainly dry day on Friday with sunny spells. Highs of 14 to 18 degrees in moderate northwest winds."

In welcome news for most, they say: "Current indications are for Saturday to remain dry with light to moderate north to northwest breezes as high pressure moves closer. Cloud cover will vary and highest temperatures will range 14 to 18 degrees."