TRENDS for the week of 29 Mar to 4 Apr 2021 --
-- Temperatures will average 3 to 4 deg above normal values.
-- Rainfall will average 25% of normal in the northwest, to near zero in many other areas.
-- Sunshine will average 25 to 50 per cent above normal values; wind speeds will be about average.
FORECASTS
TONIGHT will be hazy with some patchy mist or fog developing, mild with lows 7 to 10 C.
TUESDAY will feature hazy sunshine and warm temperatures with highs 15
to 18 C (except for a few spots near the south coast where sea fog may
drift in at times and hold temperatures down to 10-12 C).
WEDNESDAY will turn considerably cooler in many areas as winds turn
northeasterly at 30-50 km/hr, some rain returning to Donegal and
spreading down the west coast during the day (5-10 mm possible). Mostly
cloudy elsewhere but some brighter intervals persisting in the southeast
where it may remain somewhat warmer. Morning lows in all areas around 8
C but temperatures only edging back up slightly in the north and west
to 10-12 C, recovering to 14-16 C in the southeast.
THURSDAY while the winds remain easterly, the fresher variety of air
mass will be gradually moderating back to pleasant spring warmth, with
lows 4-7 C and highs 12-15 C. With the east wind, it would be the
Leinster coastline seeing some local cooling from sea breezes. Skies may
start out rather cloudy becoming at least partly sunny by mid-day and
afternoon.
(GOOD) FRIDAY will remain dry and mixtures of cloud and sun in east
winds of 30-50 km/hr, morning lows 2-5 C and afternoon highs 13-16 C
with some cooler readings possible in the east.
SATURDAY will remain similar with partly cloudy skies, less of an east
wind factor as a ridge crests over Ireland, so local sea breezes
possible on all coasts, highs 13-16 C.
EASTER SUNDAY may hold on to similar pleasant temperatures at least to
the afternoon although the north may see a sharp drop towards late in
the day, and while dry weather is expected to continue for most, a band
of rain will be arriving from the north late afternoon or evening. Highs
12-15 C with a sharp drop likely overnight.
MONDAY-TUESDAY (5th-6th Apr) are still being shown as much colder days
with northerly winds of 50-80 km/hr and mixed wintry showers likely,
some snow on hills. Highs only 4 to 6 C and lows -3 to +1 C.
The further outlook then calls for slight moderation but with potential
for a second wave of very cold temperatures to follow within a week.
Peter for IWO