Ireland weather: Huge rainstorm to smash mini-heatwave as Met Eireann gives exact date for U-turn

Ireland has been basking in an unusually pleasant spell of spring weather, with many enjoying a dry and mild St Patrick's Day - a welcome break from the usual March chill.

The past few days have brought 'mini-heatwave'-like conditions with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-to-high teens, allowing people to make the most of the outdoors.

However, this settled spell is about to come to an abrupt end. Met Eireann has warned that a dramatic weather change is on the way - and it's happening sooner than many might have hoped.

While temperatures are expected to rise slightly over the coming days, it won't be enough to hold off the incoming deluge. A developing low-pressure system is moving in from the southwest, bringing wet and unsettled weather, and its effects will be felt from Friday onwards.

The national forecaster explained: "A low pressure anomaly is signalled for later this week as high pressure gives way to a depression developing to the southwest. Temperatures are expected to slowly rise to become above normal for the time of year and it will become wet as rain associated with the developing depression affect the country."

Weather models indicate that a significant rainstorm will hit on Friday night, spreading across the country into Saturday. Once that system moves through, another bout of heavy rain is expected on Sunday night into Monday, both accompanied by gusty winds.

Giving a more detailed breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann said: "Any frost, mist and fog soon clearing to a dry and mostly sunny day on Wednesday, although some patchy cloud may affect southern coastal counties at times. Highest temperatures 11C to 15C , in mostly light easterly breezes, but moderate, occasionally fresh, in Munster. Dry and clear to start Wednesday night, becoming cloudier towards morning. Lowest temperatures 1C to 6C, coldest in the north. Some mist and fog patches will form in light easterly breezes.

"Mainly dry with sunny spells on Thursday. Highest temperatures 13C to 16C generally in light to moderate southeast breezes. Dry with clear spells at first. Cloud will build from the south through the night. Lowest temperatures 7C to 10C in moderate easterly winds."

The real change arrives on Friday as the first rainstorm pushes in. The national forecaster stated: "Turning unsettled from Friday with showers expected to develop in the south at first, becoming widespread later. Highest temperatures 13C to 15C in moderate to fresh southeasterly winds."

Looking ahead to the weekend, the weather service added: "There'll be further scattered showers on Saturday with temperatures of 13C or 14C in light to moderate southeast or variable breezes.

"Current indications suggest that the weather will continue unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain for Sunday and Monday."

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