The summer has not started yet, warn the weather forecasters, who say that after the recent mild days, cooler conditions are on the way, writes Fiona Tyrrell
Although Met Éireann recorded temperatures of 19 degrees at Shannon Airport and 17 and 18 in other parts of the country over the weekend, much cooler and more unsettled weather is expected later in the week.
"There are rumours going round that now that we are head of the EU, we are going to experience Mediterranean weather. This is not true," quipped forecaster Mr John Eagleton.
Met Éireann says rain will spread eastwards across the country tonight. Widespread heavy showers will follow the rain tomorrow, with some of them thundery. It will be quite cold with highest temperatures of just 10 to 12 degrees.
These cold conditions will persist for the rest of the week, with daytime temperatures in low double figures. The weather will be very unsettled on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with widespread heavy showers or some longer spells of rain.
Met Éireann's records for the first 29 days of April reveal that temperatures have been above average in April, and some stations reported the highest daily sunshine values in 20 years on April 28th and 29th.
Most stations reported above average temperatures for the month. Overall, the country experienced more wet days than normal in the first 29 days of April.