WEEKEND WEATHER: Temperatures to soar into double digits as summer returns to Kilkenny this weekend

It’s been a frustratingly unsettled few weeks, but finally it looks as if the sunshine is back just in time for the weekend.

Met Eireann has forecast two days of 20 degree-plus temperatures as the summer returns to Kilkenny.

Today and tomorrow will see the mercury rise to those glorious double-digits, with the south east and Leinster enjoying the best of the weather.

The south east and most of Leinster will escape the rain and drizzle forecast for the start of today, although brighter conditions will develop over the rest of the country by afternoon.

Met Éireann said: “Warmer in east Munster and central and south Leinster with highs of 19 to 22 degrees. Winds will be moderate and southwesterly in direction but fresher on southern coasts.”

And there’s more good news for tomorrow. The national forecaster said rain will clear in the south east early “with a mix of cloud and sunny spells following from the west” and temperatures rising to up to 20 degrees.

It will be a bit cooler on Sunday, which will be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells and top temperatures of between 15 to 17 degrees.

Early indications suggest Monday will remain mostly cloudy, with patchy rain and drizzle developing along northern and eastern coasts.

However the overall outlook for next week so far is positive, according to Met Éireann: “Remaining settled and getting gradually warmer through the middle of the week.”