Ireland weather: 16C 'heatwave' to plunge into big freeze as Met Eireann issues stark warning

March is often called the month of many weathers in Ireland, and this year is proving no exception. As the country approaches the St Patrick's Day bank holiday weekend, the weather is serving up its usual mix of surprises - balmy, spring-like warmth one day, followed by a sharp return to winter's chill.

Met Eireann has issued a stark warning that the unseasonably mild conditions will soon give way to a dramatic drop in temperatures, with frost, colder air and even the possibility of snow making an appearance in the days ahead.

This weekend, parts of Ireland will experience what feels like a 'heatwave', with the mercury climbing to an impressive 16C in some areas on Sunday - warmer than parts of Spain, including Barcelona, which is forecast to reach only 14C on the same day. Ireland will also bask in glorious sunshine.

However, the national forecaster is urging caution - because early next week the weather will take a sudden and significant turn. Met Eireann's latest forecast suggests that from Monday onwards, colder air will push in from the north. While daytime highs will reach around 6C to 8C, temperatures after dark will plummet, dipping as low as -1C with some frosts.

Weather models, which are notoriously subject to change, even indicate a chance of snow in some areas on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The sudden shift is being driven by a northeasterly airflow, which will dominate the weather pattern through mid-March. High pressure near Iceland will keep low-pressure systems at bay, allowing cooler conditions to settle over Ireland, while rain levels will remain relatively low.

The national forecaster said from Monday, March 10 to Sunday, March 16: "A northeasterly airflow is forecast over Ireland with high pressure slow moving near Iceland, keeping low pressure systems to the south and southeast. This will bring cooler conditions, with temperatures slightly below normal, but also low amounts of precipitation in most areas. Frosty nights and mornings are possible."

However, from Monday, March 17 onwards, a shift in airflow could bring slightly milder temperatures and more settled conditions. It added: "Quite settled weather is forecast to continue, with high pressure to the north or northeast keeping low pressure to the south. With a change to a more east to southeast airflow generally, temperatures are expected to recover, becoming slightly higher than average. Rainfall is forecast to be near or below normal."

Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect this weekend and early next week, Met Eireann said: "Largely dry at first Saturday morning with sunny spells developing though with mist patches and a few light showers about. Cloud along with outbreaks of rain will develop in the south later this morning, gradually tracking northwards, becoming patchier as it does so. Some sunny spells will follow in the clearance. Highest temperatures of 11C to 15C with moderate, occasionally fresh southeasterly winds, easing later.

"The last of the rain will clear the north early Saturday night, becoming largely dry and clear. However, there is a chance of cloudier conditions along with a little drizzle moving into southwestern fringes. Lowest temperatures of 4C to 9C. Mist and fog patches will develop in mostly light northeasterly or variable breezes, more moderate near southern and southwestern coasts.

"Mist and fog Sunday morning will clear to leave a dry and sunny day. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C generally, a little cooler near southern and eastern coasts, in light, occasionally moderate east or northeast winds. Dry Sunday night and mostly clear at first. Cloud will build from the north during the night. Mist and fog patches will also develop. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 7C with light, occasionally moderate northerly winds, freshening in the northwest towards morning.

"Mist and fog in places Monday morning with cloud continuing to build from the north with outbreaks of light rain and drizzle following. It will become drier and brighter through the late afternoon and early evening. Turning cooler with highest afternoon temperatures of 8C to 13C for most but cooler for much of Ulster, with moderate to fresh northeasterly winds. Dry Monday night with long clear spells. Lowest temperatures of -1C to 4C in light to moderate northeasterly breezes.

"A mix of cloud and sunny spells Tuesday with scattered showers moving in from the north through the day. Staying mostly dry for Munster and south Leinster. Highest temperatures of 6C to 8C in a light to moderate northerly wind. The showers will become isolated Tuesday night. Cold with lowest temperatures of -1C to 3C in light northerly or variable breezes.

"Sunny spells Wednesday with just well scattered light showers. Highest temperatures of 6C to 8C in light to moderate northeasterly breezes.

"Indications are that there will continue to be plenty of dry weather through the rest of next week with little change in temperatures as it turns cooler with some frosts at night."

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