Met Éireann pinpoints return of 22C sun blast but there's a nasty surprise too

Met Éireann is finally forecasting a return to temperatures in the low 20s after a miserable week of weather, including thunderstorms across the country on Thursday, but there's a catch.

While a few showers may linger over the weekend, Monday will see temperatures turn around again with highs of 22C but there will still be a nasty sting in the tail.

In the meantime, Met Éireann's forecast says Friday afternoon too "will be mainly dry with sunny spells" but that "this evening, there's a chance of some heavy showers developing in the midlands. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees with light northerly breezes.

"Showers are expected to die out early tonight [Friday] to leave a dry night across much of the country. However, areas of mist and fog will form as winds generally falling light inland. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees."

Met Éireann's weekend forecast says: "Saturday morning will be mainly dry with the best of the sunshine in Connacht and Ulster. Cloudier in Leinster and east Munster with a few showers. The afternoon and evening will be mainly dry. Highest temperatures of 15 to 21 degrees, warmest in the east with moderate north to northwest winds.

"Any showers will ease quickly on Saturday night and skies will clear. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate northerly winds.

"It looks set to be a predominantly dry day on Sunday with good spells of sunshine. A few showers will develop in the afternoon, mainly across the Midlands and South. Highest temperatures of 18 to 21 degrees with light northerly or variable breezes. Mostly dry on Sunday night with any showers clearing early on. A few patches of mist or fog may develop as winds fall light. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees."

Beyond that and into Monday and while temperatures rise, there is still a mixed bag in store beyond a brief sunny spell. Met Éireann predicts conditions will be "warm on Monday with long spells of sunshine developing."

Howevewer, they add: "Showers will break out in some areas during the afternoon and evening with the possibility of a few thunderstorms. Highest temperatures of 19 to 22 degrees in mostly light southerly or variable winds. Showers and thunderstorms will continue in some areas on Monday night with a spell of persistent rain expected to develop in the west and southwest. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with light southwest or variable winds.

"Current indications suggest Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with showers and longer spells of rain pushing east. A few heavy or thundery downpours cannot be ruled out. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in moderate westerly winds."