Ireland to see sudden weather shift as sunshine returns with 16°C highs

About time

After plunging to -1°C in some areas on Friday, the freezing spell will be replaced by sunny, warmer conditions from Wednesday, with temperatures climbing to 16°C.

According to climate expert Cathal Nolan, founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, midweek will see a sunny spell with settled conditions and plenty of daylight.

Speaking in a video update, Cathal said: "As we go into Monday, a warm front will push up from the southwest, bringing a bit of mist and drizzle in western and northwestern counties, with the best of the drier weather in the east and south.

"For St Patrick’s Day itself, it’s a bit of a mixed bag – drier in the Midlands and northeast, with some light rain or mist in the west and along the hills and coasts in the south and southeast."

Wednesday (March 18) marks the real shift, with high pressure bringing more settled conditions: "From then, we’re looking at major improvement, with settled, dry conditions likely to dominate for some time," Cathal added.

The good news was echoed by Irish weather expert Alan O’Reilly, who runs the well-followed Carlow Weather pages.

"Here comes the high pressure! From Wednesday, expect sunny spells, lighter winds and mainly dry weather. Temperatures will rise a little from Thursday, and the fine spell could last over a week with very little rain," he says.

However, before we get to bask in the sun, Monday and St Patrick's Day will likely bring a few more showers and chilly conditions.

National forecaster Met Éireann has also warned of a mix of sunny spells and showers.

The forecast for today reads: "Mostly cloudy today with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing, most persistent across the northern half of the country. While it will become drier from the southwest this afternoon, the odd spot of drizzle will still occur, with hill, mist and coastal fog in places. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a freshening southwest wind."

While tomorrow "will be relatively mild but noticeably breezy for most, rather windy near Atlantic coasts."

"Mostly dry and cloudy at first with just patchy light rain or drizzle. Outbreaks of rain will slowly move in from the west later in the morning, becoming lighter and patchier as it reaches the east coast in the evening, as sunny spells and isolated showers follow. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 or 14 degrees in a fresh to strong and gusty south or southwest wind, which will moderate as the rain clears," it continued.