'It may not be over yet' - Met Éireann give verdict on heatwave comeback before big change

Families thronged beaches all over the country at the weekend as Ireland basked in what many expect to be the last of the summer sun in 2023.

The country was placed under a number of heat warnings late last week as temperatures climbed to the high 20s in many areas.

They were replaced by thunderstorm warnings over the weekend as the good weather ended with a bang, but the sunny patch may not be over yet as there could be a sting in the tail of the mini heatwave - at least for a few days.

Met Éireann has delivered its latest forecast and while a major change is taking place in our weather as we transition to Autumn, we could still enjoy some sunny spells this week.

Temperatures have fallen from the highs of last week but the mercury could still hit 18 degrees over the next few days, particularly on Tuesday, with nice warm spells and only a few showers.

We're clinging onto hope at this stage but in the long run, it looks like the summer party is over and conditions are going to start settling into a more autumnal pattern. Wind, rain and cooler conditions are here to stay from next week.

In its forecast for this week, Met Éireann said Monday will be "cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle becoming widespread from the northwest and west after a mostly dry start elsewhere.

"The rain will clear from much of Ulster and Connacht during the day, with a few late sunny spells developing here. However, most of Munster and Leinster will see the rain continuing into the evening. Noticeably cooler with highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in light northwesterly or variable winds."

It will be mainly dry on Monday night as any lingering rain in the east and south gradually eases away, and there will be long clear spells with a few mist or fog patches.

Forecasters say the nights will finally start turning cool this week after some muggy overnight weather recently. Temperatures will fall between 5 and 11 degrees on Monday night.

Again, Tuesday will be mainly dry with sunny spells and isolated showers in northern areas, highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in a light northerly breeze.

Wednesday will, however, bring more cloud and rain which will spread from the west through the afternoon and evening.

"The southeast may hold mainly dry until the early night. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in a freshening southerly wind. Some strong winds are expected near to Atlantic coastal areas," Met Éireann said.

The rain will clear to scattered showers on Wednesday night and the winds will veer to the west and moderate, they predict.

"Thursday looks to be a bright day with sunny spells and a few showers, mostly affecting the northwest of the country," according to the latest forecast.

"Temperatures on Thursday will be between 15 and 18 degrees with light to moderate west to northwest winds, fresher near northern and northwestern coasts.

"Friday looks to be largely dry with sunny spells developing after mist and fog clears. However, it is possible that some rain could move into the southeast later in the day. Highest temperatures around the mid teens."

Looking beyond that, Met Éireann says that "currently next weekend looks dry for many, but eastern and southern parts may see some breezy wet weather at times."

For next week, things could take an even more miserable turn. 

"There is an indication that low pressure will dominate, consequently bringing wetter than usual weather," forecasters say.

"Temperatures are signalled to remain around average countrywide. Rainfall remains higher than average nationwide too, especially across the western half of the country. With a signal for low pressure to move close to our shores, there may some impacts relating to rain and possibly wind."