Northern Ireland weather outlook as Arctic blast set to see temperatures plummet
Northern Ireland will see temperatures plummet on Thursday evening, bringing a chilly night and a chance of patchy frost as Arctic air sweeps in, the Met Office says.
The cold air from the Arctic is being driven southwards across the UK, sending the mercury readings tumbling.
Frost might be seen in some areas overnight as temperatures drop to 3°C but then there's some good news as sunshine is forecast. Friday will generally be a dry day after the patchy frost of Thursday night.
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Temperatures are expected to return nearer to average for this time of year at the weekend, with highs of up to 20°C forecast. This is because the jetstream thrusting the cold air from the Arctic will change, and instead high pressure will move in from the Atlantic. The pattern will then become more settled.
Here's what to expect in Northern Ireland over the next few days, according to the Met Office.
Tonight:
Showers will die out during the evening then a dry night with mainly clear skies. Becoming cold with a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 3°C.
Friday:
A cold start then a dry and sunny morning. Cloud will thicken from the west during the afternoon with outbreaks of light rain spreading east by evening. Maximum temperature 15°C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Windy with some rain for a time on Saturday but feeling warmer. Brighter with scattered showers on Sunday. Further outbreaks of rain spreading east on Monday.
UK long range weather forecast: Monday 16th September - Wednesday 25th September
Cloud and outbreaks of rain, perhaps heavy in places, are expected to affect some northern areas at the start of this period. Further south, it is likely to be dry with spells of sunshine. Temperatures will mainly be close to average for the time of year.
Through the middle and latter part of next week high pressure will begin to become more dominant, with dry and at times sunny conditions spreading across the majority of the UK.
Temperatures during the day will probably be above average in many areas, although some cold nights are also possible. This pattern will probably persist through the rest of this period, although by late September there is a chance that more unsettled conditions may begin to develop.
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