Ireland weather: Met Éireann forecasts huge 16C swing and plenty of sunshine in much-needed spring boost

The recent spell of good weather Ireland has been enjoying over the past few days is set to continue into the weekend, with the country set to bask in plenty of spring sunshine over the coming days.

Saturday marks the beginning of March and meteorological spring, with Met Éireann forecasting a settled start to the month with plenty of sunshine and dry weather on the cards and just occasional spells of light rain or drizzle.

While daytime temperatures will climb into the double digits, Met Éireann has warned that we are in for some bitterly cold nights this weekend, with temperatures dropping below zero freezing, leading to some frost and icy patches in some areas.

According to the latest Met Éireann forecast, there was a cold start for most today after temperatures dropped as low as -4C overnight, with frost, ice, mist and any fog clearing through the morning. After a cold start, it is forecast to be a largely dry day on Friday with just isolated showers and plenty of sunshine that'll turn hazy through the afternoon as cloud increases from the west. Highest temperatures of 7C to 11C are expected with mostly light to moderate southerly winds.

After a dry start, however, Met Éireann has said that outbreaks of rain will develop in the northwest and will extend across much of Ulster, Connacht and northwest Munster overnight, although it is expected to remain drier elsewhere with clear spells. A cold night lies ahead with lowest temperatures of -1C to 5C in light to moderate southerly winds, with some frost developing under clear skies away from the north and west.

The rain will continue moving southeastwards across the rest of the country on Saturday morning, becoming lighter and patchy as it does so, and will be followed by drier and brighter weather spreading from the northwest. The national forecaster has said it be a warm day for this time of year, with highest temperatures of 7C to 11C in light westerly or variable winds.

Saturday night will dry with some clear spells, although patches of mist and fog will develop in light variable winds. Some frost and icy patches will also form with lowest temperatures of -1C to +4C expected.

Mist and fog will gradually clear Sunday morning, leaving a generally dry day with some sunny spells and just the chance of isolated showers. Another warm day is on the cards, with highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with light to moderate southwest winds, fresh at times near Atlantic coasts.

However, it will become cloudier as we move into the evening, with some patchy light rain or drizzle developing in the west and north. Temperatures are set to fall to between 1C and 5C in the south and not falling below 5C to 8C elsewhere, in light to moderate southwest winds.

It will be a rather cloudy start to Monday for many, with patchy light rain or drizzle forecast in the north and west, but drier conditions with some brighter spells expected in the south, with highest temperatures of 10C to 12C with light to moderate southwest winds.

It will remain cloudy on Monday night with patchy light rain or drizzle in the west and north, although it will be dry with clear spells over the southern half of the country. A warmer night is also forecast, with lowest temperatures of just 3C to 8C, coolest in the south under clear spells, in light to moderate southwest winds.

According to early indications, Met Éireann has said Tuesday looks to be a largely dry day with hazy spells of sunshine, with highest temperatures of 10C to 12C in moderate to fresh southwest winds.

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