Ireland weather latest: 'Hot plume' heading directly for Ireland but there's a catch

Ireland could be set for a late blast of warm weather on foot of Storm Agnes but there's a major catch, according to one forecaster.

Alan O'Reilly from the Carlow Weather account updated his followers on the possibility of warm weather on Thursday and delivered both good and bad news.

While the weather may heat up for the country before winter sets in, it could be a case of "blink and you'll miss it."

Sun-seekers will barely get the chance to dust off their sunglasses before the "hot plume" has moved on and been replaced by more seasonable grim weather.

Alan said: "A few questions about a 'hot plume of air heading our way' that has been reported by some. Well, if you sleep in the weekend, you might miss it."

The meteorologist added: "It will be a mild weekend with the temperatures up to 18c Saturday after the rain clears and still mild Sunday but nothing crazy. Just nice to keep the heating bills down for now.

"There is a chance of a brief blast of warmer air moving in over us towards the end of next week but it looks very brief also and very uncertain yet."

So it's bad news for those hoping for an Indian summer as Met Éireann's outlook says it will remain "unsettled for the weekend and Monday, with rain or showers, then turning drier and brighter."

A few questions about a “hot plume of air heading our way” that has been reported by some . Well if you sleep in the weekend you might miss it

It will be a mild weekend with the temperatures up to 18c Saturday after the rain clears and still mild Sunday but nothing crazy. Just… pic.twitter.com/OW1PVdKL9r

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) September 28, 2023

They say Friday will be "generally dry and bright, with just a few showers. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees, in a light to moderate west to southwest wind."

Friday night will be "mostly dry and clear early on, with isolated showers mainly affecting Ulster. Cloud will increase from the south overnight with rain and drizzle developing in the southwest. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in a light south to southwest wind.

"Saturday will be wet and breezy. Rain will extend countrywide during the morning and afternoon before clearing northeastwards in the evening. A fresh and gusty southeast to south wind will develop, becoming south to southwest and gradually easing later. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees.

"Starting dry with clear spells [on Saturday night], but some showers will move into the west and northwest overnight. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a light to moderate south to southwest wind.

"On Sunday there will be sunny spells and scattered showers but by evening most places will be dry. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in a light to moderate southwesterly wind."

Sunday night will be "mostly dry with clear spells, although outbreaks of rain may develop in southern areas later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees with light south to southwest winds."

Their outlook beyond that says "a good amount of dry and bright weather is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, with showers mainly affecting northern areas."