Met Éireann: 'High pressure' predicted amid upturn in Ireland weather fortunes

Met Éireann is predicting a period of high pressure across Ireland in coming days with generally pleasant and mild conditions. 

Though Thursday started frosty, temperatures are due to rise to above average over the weekend and into next week. 

"High pressure will build in from the west over the weekend bringing a good deal of dry, bright and settled weather, although showers will affect the west and north, particularly on Saturday," Met Éireann said.

"Cool or cold with temperatures a bit below average for the time of year. Temperatures look likely to gradually recover closer to average towards midweek next week," they added.

They said Friday will begin damp or wet across much of the south and east, as heavy overnight rain clears eastwards.

"Brighter elsewhere with sunshine and a few passing showers, with sunnier skies extending countrywide into the afternoon. Cool and breezy with highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in rather brisk northwest wind," they added.

"Clear spells and scattered showers on Friday night. The showers will be mainly in the west and north, where a few could be heavy with a chance of hail. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in light to moderate west to northwest winds.

"Saturday will bring a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Scattered showers will be mainly in the west and north at first but they will spread a little further south and east during the afternoon. Some of the showers will be heavy, perhaps with hail, mainly in the north and northwest. A cool day with highest temperatures just 9 to 12 degrees in mostly moderate northwesterly winds."

In its forecast for Saturday night, Met Éireann say it will become "dry and clear in many parts with showers increasingly confined to western and northern coasts. Lowest temperatures 0 to 5 degrees in light northwest or variable breezes, with grass frost possible."

For Sunday, they predict it will be "cold to begin with the best of the sunshine through the morning. Cloud amounts will tend to increase from the west as the day goes on, with the odd light shower breaking out. Another cool day, but winds will be lighter. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees in light northerly or variable breezes.

"The cloud will tend to thin out on Sunday night and some clear breaks will develop. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 6 degrees in light variable breezes, with the chance of grass frost again.

"Monday will be another mostly dry and cool day with variable cloud and sunshine. Highest temperatures will be around 10 to 12 degrees in light northeast or variable breezes.

"Dry with long clear spells in mainly light northeast or variable breezes. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees with grass frost possible."

Beyond that, they say: "High pressure looks set to remain close-by as we head towards midweek, with the mainly dry and settled conditions persisting. Temperatures will increase slightly, gradually recovering closer to seasonal norms."