High pressure to remain in charge
There is a strong signal for the continuation of largely dry conditions across Ireland up to and including mid-May.
High pressure will remain in charge of our weather for the next two weeks, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells.
The dry start to the new month follows a record-breaking final day of April when Athenry in Galway registered 25.9°C, beating a 41-year-old temperature high for the month set by Glenties, Donegal, in 1984.
Temperatures will gradually cool down during Thursday and Friday, however, as a cold front crosses Ireland from the north.
Temperatures will remain close to or slightly above average for the weekend and early next week, ranging from 11 to 16°C, warmest in southern counties.
Temperatures will slowly rise from the middle of next week.
Rainfall totals will be well below average, with some locations remaining completely dry over the next week.
There will be some scattered showers at times, however, as winds swing to a north to northeast direction over the next 24 hours.
Southern areas may also see some scattered heavy showers, with a risk of some thunderstorms, during Thursday evening.
Winds will be gentle to moderate northeasterly during Friday and Saturday but will ease to light and variable from Sunday.
The below animation shows high pressure becoming anchored over Ireland for the next two weeks.
