Past week was cooler than average in north and east

The past week brought cooler than average mean air temperatures for northern and coastal areas of Ireland, while the west recorded more than double its seasonal sunshine hours.

It was 1 or 2 degrees cooler than average in the north and east, compared to 1c warmer than average elsewhere.

Mean air temperatures will progressively increase everywhere during the coming week, rising to between 13 and 16 degrees generally which is 2 to 4 degrees above average.

Over the past week, sunshine amounts were well above average across the country, ranging between 198 and 224% of average.

According to Met Éireann, sunshine hours ranged from 78.8 hours recorded at Shannon Airport in Clare to 92.1 hours in Belmullet, Co. Mayo.

While it will be cloudy for a time early in the coming week, widespread sunshine will return from midweek, with sunshine amounts above average as a result.