Those planning to hit the beach this weekend may be disappointed as the current sunny spell is set to break over the next few days.
Last weekend was the hottest so far this year, with a high of 27.6 degrees recorded at Shannon Airport on Saturday. Sunday was also warm, with the west, particularly west Kerry and Connacht, getting the best sunshine and temperatures of 23 and 24 degrees. However, the pattern is not due to continue into next weekend.
Met Eireann earlier forecast a midweek downturn in the weather, with thick patches of cloud moving in across the country and heavy showers. However, it was due to pick up again for the weekend.
Met Eireann now predicts that the cloudy, unsettled weather is to drag on into the weekend, with all parts of the country equally affected by the cloud. Temperatures will not be what they were last weekend either, with maximum values in the high teens and possibly low 20s forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
There will also be the threat of showery weather bringing an end to the long dry spell of the last two weeks. Some areas may escape and stay pleasantly warm and sunny but Eireann it will be "hit and miss" as to where these areas will be.
Although the weekend will be characterised by "sluggish" showery weather, most areas will see a mix of cloud and sunshine throughout the day over both Saturday and Sunday, but according to Met Eireann the threat of showers will be there at all times. "The settled pattern of the last two weeks is gone," it said.
