As March comes to a close and April begins, Ireland is set to enjoy a spell of unseasonably warm and settled weather. With spring in full bloom, the country is on the brink of what could be its hottest week of the year so far.
Thanks to high pressure, temperatures are forecast to climb to a possible peak of 17C, bringing wall-to-wall sunshine - an ideal start to the new month.
Spring in Ireland can be unpredictable, often swinging between warm spells and winter chills, but the first weeks of April appear to be defying the usual patterns, with an extended period of dry, sunny and mild conditions ahead.
Met Eireann has issued a glorious forecast, predicting bright and sunny conditions, with temperatures well above the average for the time of year, and no rain in sight.
Weather maps indicate that the hottest day of this spell could be next Monday, April 7, as temperatures are forecast to reach their peak.
The week ahead is shaping up to be one of the sunniest and driest of the year so far. The national forecaster said: "High pressure will bring settled conditions and plenty of sunshine. High pressure looks set to be the dominant feature of the weather over Ireland for the first week in April bringing mostly dry and settled conditions. Temperatures are forecast to be well above the climatological average. It will be significantly drier than normal with rainfall totals forecast to be well below average for early April."
While this change in weather is undoubtedly a welcome one, it is unlikely to be classified as an official heatwave. Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above-average temperatures, but Met Eireann previously told the Irish Mirror: "That is a working definition used by some other met offices, but the Met Eireann definition of a heatwave is five consecutive days of temperatures above 25C."
A 'mini-heatwave' meanwhile is often used to describe a period of temperatures that are above average for the time of the year.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect over the coming days, Met Eireann said: "Mist and fog will gradually clear from most areas Monday morning, but may linger a while longer along coasts, especially in the south and east. It'll be mainly dry today with sunny spells, sunshine improving from the south through the day, turning hazy at times. Small chance of an isolated light shower today. Highest temperatures 13C to 17C with light to moderate southerly winds.
"Dry and sunny Tuesday. Long spells of hazy sunshine at first turning to blue skies as the day goes on. Highest temperatures of 11C to 15C , coolest in the east and south due to a moderate to fresh southeasterly wind, that will be strong at times in the southwest.
"A fine day, staying dry with widespread sunshine. Highest temperatures of 11C to 15C , coolest in the east and south due to a light to moderate southeasterly wind.
"Another dry and sunny day Thursday. Highest temperatures of 12C to 16C , coolest near the east coast due to a light to moderate easterly wind.
"Staying dry and sunny Friday. Highest temperatures of 12C to 17C , mildest in the west in a light to moderate easterly wind.
"Current indications suggest it will remain largely settled for the weekend. A little more in the way of cloud is expected with temperatures turning slightly cooler too."
The good weather is forecast to continue into next week. For the week of April 6 to April 13, Met Eireann said: "High Pressure is likely to continue to be situated near Ireland at Forecast Week 2 bringing predominantly settled weather conditions. Rainfall amounts are forecast to be below normal whilst mean air temperatures are predicted to be above the climatological average for mid-April."
However, by mid-April, this pattern may shift as low pressure moves closer to Ireland. From April 14, the meteorological agency said: "Weather conditions look set to turn more changeable at Forecast Week 3 as Low Pressure systems move closer to Ireland. Mean air temperatures are likely to be around the climatological average. It is likely to be wetter than normal with showers and longer periods of rain moving through at times."
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
