Ireland as hot as Malaga but Met Eireann warns of brutal temperature twist in new weather forecast

Parts of Ireland will be as hot as Malaga over the coming days, as the long-anticipated warm spell finally arrives.

Met Eireann says temperatures will climb as high as 18C at times, alongside "largely sunny and dry" conditions.

The above-average temperatures means that Ireland will match the heat expected in parts of the south of Spain, including Malaga, where highs of 18C are also forecast.

The welcome weather change comes due to a massive area of high pressure settling in. High and low pressure systems cause day-to-day changes in Ireland’s conditions. In general, high pressure during the spring and summer tends to bring fine, warm weather that can lead to sunny days and prolonged dry spells.

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The national forecaster remarked: "High pressure centred over Ireland for the weekend, will shift a little to the northwest for early next week. It will continue to dominate though until at least midweek, with largely dry conditions."

But it's not all good news as a brutal temperature twist is on the cards. While the high pressure will usher in warm daytime temperatures, nights will turn notably cooler, dropping to near freezing.

Met Eireann has warned that temperatures will swing by a dramatic 17C, going from 18C during the day to just 1C at night with a chance of isolated mist and fog patches.

Weather map for Saturday, April 20
(Image: WXCharts)

The good weather is expected to last for at least five days before turning unsettled once again during the second half of next week. Giving a warm weather timeline, the national forecaster said: "Any isolated mist and fog patches will quickly clear to leave a dry day Saturday with plenty of sunshine. The sunshine may turn hazy at times due to high cloud. Highest temperatures of 13C to 17C generally, warmest in the west, in light variable breezes. It'll be a little cooler in some coastal parts, where sea breezes develop. Dry Saturday night with mostly clear skies. There's just be a little cloud and the chance of a few isolated mist and fog patches. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 5C in near calm conditions.

"Sunday, will be a dry and largely sunny day, with just a little fair weather cloud in places at times. Highest temperatures generally a pleasant 14C to 18C , warmest in the west, in light variable breezes. It'll be a little cooler in some coastal parts, especially in eastern coastal parts, with sea breezes developing. Sunday night will be dry with long clear spells in many areas, though it'll turn cloudier in Ulster and possibly Leinster. A few isolated mist and fog patches will develop. Lowest temperatures 3C to 6C in light variable breezes.

"Monday will be dry for most with long spells of sunshine. It'll be cloudier in the north and parts of the east, with perhaps a few isolated light showers in the north. Highest temperatures from 12C to 14C in Ulster and parts of north Connacht, but ranging from 14C to 17C or 18C elsewhere, in light to moderate northerly winds. Monday night will be mainly dry with a mix of cloud and clear spells and perhaps a few spots of patchy light drizzle. Lowest temperatures 4C to 7C in light to moderate northerly breezes.

"Similar winds on Tuesday and it will be a mainly dry day with a mix of cloud and some good spells of sunshine. There's just the chance of some isolated patches of drizzle. Temperatures will slip a little, with highest values of 11C to 13C in the north, and ranging 13C to 16C elsewhere. Tuesday night will be dry for most with clear spells, though with the possibility of becoming a little cloudier overnight and the chance of a little patchy light drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 2C to 6C in light northwest breezes.

"Wednesday will hold dry in many areas, with the likelihood of some sunny spells, though there's likely to be more cloud around and the possibility of a little patchy light rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 12C to 13C or 14C in moderate northwest breezes. It's likely to turn more unsettled through the second half of the week."

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