'It's not over' - Huge weather update as 23C scorcher to hit Ireland before big change

Ireland may yet see sun and temperatures in the 20s this weekend before a wintry change takes effect in the coming weeks, according to forecasts.

While this week has been cooler after a 25C sun blast last week, the heat may well make a comeback this weekend with some forecasters predicting the mercury will rise to a balmy 23C within days.

BBQs may be wheeled back out of sheds all over Ireland if the predictions materialise with Ireland Weather Alerts posting the glorious update on Wednesday.

They said: "After chilly spells this week, temperatures will return to around normal over the weekend. Next week it looks as though high pressure and warmer air build over Ireland making temperatures rise.

"Temperatures into the 20s are forecast with as high as 23°C. There is also expected to be some decent sunny weather too!
For once there is a decent chance of some fine weather for the National Ploughing Championships next week!."

READ NEXT: Met Éireann pinpoint low pressure for Ireland with big weather change days away

Meanwhile, Met Éireann's latest forecast does not yet make predictions for next week but they are predicting some sunny spells and showers in the coming days.

They say: "Thursday will be a cool, bright day with sunshine. There'll be a scattering of showers around too, especially in the morning and for a time in the afternoon, but the showers will tend to die away later. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees in a light to moderate northerly wind," they added.

"Dry with clear spells for much of the night [Thursday] but cloud will build in the west towards morning. Chilly with lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees with light winds.

"Dry on Friday morning, with sunny spells in the north and east. It will become cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle extending across the country from the west through the day. Highest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees with light to moderate south to southwest winds.

"Cloudy with outbreaks of rain or drizzle [on Friday night]. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in a light to moderate southwest wind.

"Cloudy and breezy with rain moving southeastwards across the country [on Saturday]. Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds.

"Rain will continue to clear southwards through the night [Saturday] with clear spells and some showers following the clearance. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees, mildest in the south and southeast in light winds.

"Any lingering rain will clear the south coast, with sunny spells and showers following for Sunday. Most of the showers are expected in the north and west. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees, mildest in the southeast in light winds," the latest forecast continues."

However, by the end of the month, our weather fortunes may have changed considerably.

The extended forecast from Met Éireann reveals that "low pressure will have more of an influence over Ireland’s weather [week from September 30].

"This will allow more frequent spells of rain to spread across the country from the Atlantic," they say.

Prior to that, high pressure looks like dominating although temperatures are coming down closer to the seasonal average than the highs of 25C we enjoyed last weekend.

Forecasters say that next week is "signalled to be largely settled. While some spells of rain are possible, high pressure is indicated to dominate our weather with a mainly dry easterly airflow bringing overall settled conditions. It will be drier than normal across the country as a result. Temperatures will be above average for most, with the warmest conditions likely in inland areas."

Confidence is lower for the following week (from September 23) but Met Éireann says "there is a signal that high pressure will remain near Ireland.

"As a result, our weather will stay generally settled, though occasional showers or spells of rain cannot be ruled out. Rainfall amounts will be near average over the eastern half of the country, with the highest likelihood of showers in these areas. The western half of the country will be slightly drier than average. Temperatures will be close to or just above normal."

The last days of September and first week of October will signal the return of low pressure. 

Forecasters say: "There is a weak signal that low pressure will have more of an influence over Ireland’s weather during this week. This will allow more frequent spells of rain to spread across the country from the Atlantic. Rainfall amounts are likely to increase compared to previous weeks, with slightly wetter than average conditions indicated nationwide. Mean temperatures will be just above normal also."

The confidence on the weather models is lower after that but the second week in October looks like bringing "a predominantly westerly airflow to affect Ireland, bringing above average rainfall for western and northern areas. Rainfall will be closer to normal or slightly below for parts of the east and southeast. Temperatures will remain above average."