It may be close to winter but summer is due to make a last-minute appearance, according to Met Eireann.

Temperatures are forecast to rise to a balmy 23C in parts of the country, rivalling the Ibiza heat. It comes after the country was hit by a cold spell this week. The sun will arrive this Saturday with Met Éireann predicting: "Current indications for Saturday suggest a rather warm day with maximum temperatures in the high teens or low 20s."

BBQ Saturday looks to be on! GFS weather model has fallen in line with other models showing warm air moving up over Ireland Friday and Saturday and at present Saturday looking good and dry but risk of rain Sunday and warm air could quickly retreat but uncertain beyond Sunday. pic.twitter.com/a4BO8IjjUw

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 2, 2023

Yet we'll have to make it through some dark, damp days first. Friday is due to be deceptively dreary with mainly cloudy conditions to begin with patchy rain and drizzle before the weekend brightens up. It's due to pick up through the day with sunny spells developing in most parts by the evening. It will be breezy, with moderate to fresh southerly winds, strong and gusty near Atlantic coasts - highest temperatures of 17C to 20C. Carlow Weather reporter Alan O'Reilly commented on the incoming Indian summer on his X account, formerly Twitter. "BBQ Saturday looks to be on!" he wrote, "GFS weather model has fallen in line with other models showing warm air moving up over Ireland Friday and Saturday and at present Saturday looking good and dry but the risk of rain Sunday and warm air could quickly retreat but uncertain beyond Sunday." This surprise summer isn't set to last as the chilly, wet weather will be rolling back across the nation starting Sunday and continuing into next week.

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