Deirdre O Meara 
The first big holiday weekend of the year is fast approaching, and while it won’t be terrible, it won’t be great either. The national weather service, Met Eireann, has predicted that the weekend will be very unsettled, with all kinds of weather expected.
The latest update from Met Eireann is for some sunshine and relatively mild temperatures for the rest of the week and into the weekend. However, from Friday through to Easter Monday, frequent and occasionally heavy showers are expected to hit all areas of Munster, moving in from the West Coast.
The forecast for the weekend is still relatively uncertain and could change tomorrow. There is some good news in the short term, however, as tomorrow (Thursday) should bring some longer, sunny spells to most parts of Munster after the very dull and wet conditions expected to persist through today and into tomorrow night.
According to the popular and usually pretty accurate Carlow Weather twitter account, the weather looks uncertain into the week ahead and through the weekend.
Met Eireann’s full forecast for Munster this lunchtime looks like this:
TODAY – Wednesday 5th April
Dull and damp to start with some outbreaks of rain lingering through the morning. By the afternoon, the most persistent rain will clear eastwards with decent sunny spells and just a few showers following from the west. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees. Mainly light southwesterly breezes, veering westerly during the afternoon.
TONIGHT
Isolated showers will continue tonight, though many areas will remain dry. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light westerly breezes.
TOMORROW – Thursday 6th April
Largely dry with decent sunny spells. Just a few passing showers, mainly during the morning and afternoon. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in light west to northwest breezes.
National Outlook
OVERVIEW: Staying largely dry for the rest of the working week, although some further outbreaks of rain are expected over the long weekend.
THURSDAY NIGHT:
Dry and chilly with a few patches of mist or fog possible. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 3 degrees, coolest towards the northeast. Winds very light, southeasterly or variable.
FRIDAY:
Dry for the vast majority of the country with decent bright spells and just a slight chance of showers. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in light south to southeast breezes.
FRIDAY NIGHT:
Staying dry in most areas, although persistent outbreaks of rain will start pushing into Atlantic coasts by morning. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in mainly light south to southeast breezes.
SATURDAY:
Cloudy and wet with persistent outbreaks of rain in the west gradually extending across the country. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in light to moderate southerly breezes.
SATURDAY NIGHT:
A few isolated patches of rain will linger, though most areas will remain dry. Minimum temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in very light southerly or variable breezes.
SUNDAY:
Generally dry at first with some early bright spells. In the afternoon, a band of showery rain will then push in from the west, mainly affecting Atlantic coastal counties while parts of the east may remain dry. Highs of 11 to 14 degrees, warmest in the east, in mainly light southerly breezes.
MONDAY:
Easter Monday will have a cloudy and wet start with outbreaks of rain in many areas. By the afternoon, the rain will largely clear eastwards with a mix of bright spells and scattered showers following from the west. Maximum temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees in light westerly breezes.
FURTHER OUTLOOK:
Considerable uncertainty remains for the further outlook, although conditions are expected to remain unsettled through the middle of next week.
It’s important to note that the forecast for the weekend is still uncertain, and it’s always wise to keep an eye on the latest updates from Met Eireann. Regardless of the weather, we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
