Deirdre O Meara 
Met Eireann has released its latest weather forecast, predicting showers across Dublin with some turning into hail. The forecast also warns of isolated thunderstorms that could hit the region ahead of an “unsettled” week with rain and strong winds. Easter Sunday will start clear in the capital before rain spreads from the West, with temperatures expected to hit a high of 13°C and lows of 6°C. However, the rainy afternoon should give way to a clear evening.
On Monday, there will be widespread showers with some sunny spells mixed in between. Some of the showers will be heavy with hail and isolated thunderstorms possible. The highest temperature will range from 10 to 12 degrees in a moderate to fresh and blustery west wind. Showers will become confined to Atlantic coastal counties on Monday night, with clear spells developing in the east and north. However, cloud will thicken in the southwest with rain developing there towards morning, with lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees in mostly light southwesterly winds.
Tuesday’s forecast suggests southerly winds veering westerly will be strong and gusty with gales in some coastal areas. Rain will continue to extend northeastwards becoming widespread and, at times, heavy during the morning before clearing to showers later in the day. Highest temperatures will range from 7 to 11 degrees. Tuesday night will be cold and windy with widespread showers and gusty conditions at times. There will be a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms, and a few brief wintry flurries over high ground cannot be ruled out. Lows will range from 0 to 4 degrees generally.
Wednesday will remain windy with frequent squally showers feeding in from the west throughout the day. Some of the showers will be heavy with a chance for further isolated thunderstorms and hail, and the showers may merge into longer spells of rain at times. Highs on Wednesday will range from 8 to 10 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds. Wednesday night will be cold and breezy with clear spells and scattered showers, some of hail. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees in fresh and gusty southwest winds.
Current indications suggest Thursday will be a bright day with sunny spells and scattered showers. However, cloudier conditions along with outbreaks of rain are expected to spread from the south later in the day. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in fresh southwest winds. Thursday night looks set to be cloudy and wet with outbreaks of rain.
The rest of the week will remain generally unsettled with further spells of wet and windy weather. Dublin residents are advised to stay up to date with the latest weather forecast and take necessary precautions.
