Met Éireann weather twist despite reports of drier weather on the way

Ireland's weather could be about to undergo two major shifts over the next few days with hopes of a long-promised dry spell now possibly "slipping away," according to one forecaster.

Met Éireann has been forecasting a period of dry weather early next week but it now looks like it will be short-lived.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather has said: "Chances of dry spell week look to have slipped away for South and East at least. Still some uncertainty but not heading the right way."

Meanwhile, Met Éireann is predicting a mixed mixture over the week and into next but a brief reprieve from the wet weather of late is still on the cards.

Their outlook for the next few days says there will be "outbreaks of rain initially before turning drier for a time early next week. Unusually high tides will continue out through Tuesday with the possibility of coastal flooding for all coasts."

For Friday night, they say it will be "dry in most areas with a mix of cloud and clear spells, however some light rain and drizzle will occur in southern and southeastern areas. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees, coldest in the north. Easterly winds mostly moderate in strength, but strong on coasts. Unusually high tides will bring the possibility of coastal flooding for all coasts."

Their forecast continues for the weekend and into next week: "Mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, most frequent in the east and south [on Saturday]. Some mist about also. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in moderate to fresh east to northeast winds. Unusually high tides will bring the possibility of coastal flooding for all coasts.

"A good deal of cloud over the south and east of the country with further outbreaks of rain [on Saturday night]. Drier with clear spells in the north and west. Lowest temperatures generally of 1 to 5 degrees in mostly moderate northeast winds.

"Plenty of cloud with further outbreaks of rain expected [on Sunday], especially in the eastern half of the country. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in light to moderate north to northeast winds.

"Outbreaks of rain will continue, mainly near the Irish Sea [Sunday night]. Further west it will be drier with some clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northerly breezes.

Chances of dry spell week look to have slipped away for South and East at least still some uncertainty but not heading the right way. pic.twitter.com/DWhPPJTKo3

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) March 7, 2024

"Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly over the eastern half of the country [on Monday]. Later in the day, some sunny spells will break through as the rain becomes patchier. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees in moderate northerly breezes, falling light later.

"Any remaining patches of rain and drizzle will clear through the morning [on Tuesday] as sunny spells and scattered light showers develop for the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in light variable breezes."

The outlook beyond that says: "Current indications suggest that it will turn more unsettled for midweek with rain and showers."