Munster shines on after overnight rain

Munster and South Connacht enjoyed the best of any sunshine during Friday morning as evidenced when the NASA MODIS and Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites passed over shortly before midday.

Scattered outbreaks of light rain kept much of Ulster, Leinster and Connacht overcast during the first half of Friday, but, even here, bright spells developed later in the day.

Friday’s rainfall will likely be the last of the current dry spell until late next week.

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite revealed that Munster enjoyed long spells of sunshine, as dull and damp conditions prevailed elsewhere.

Earlier this week, clear skies across Ireland and Britain produced stark satellite imagery of city lights on the islands.

EUMETSAT produced the below night-time view of Ireland and northwest Europe on Wednesday night.

The ongoing settled conditions are the result of high pressure becoming established and rooted to the northeast of Ireland and Britain.

High pressure will build closer to or over Ireland by midweek next week, resulting in winds falling light and the risk of overnight frosts increasing in inland locations. Overnight fog may be slow to clear in places.

Temperatures will be highest in the western half of Ireland, ranging from 16-18°C.

Temperatures will rise from 11 to 13°C in eastern and southern coastal counties this week to 14-16°C next week as easterly winds ease.