Northern lights could be visible over Offaly this weekend as cracking weather on the way

Cracking weather is on the way for this weekend and experts say to keep your eyes peeled on the night sky as the incredible northern lights are set to be visible over some parts of the country.

In a post on X, Dr Brian O'Halloran said,

"Given the multiple huge flares from sunspot region 3664 over the past 24 hours, it's highly likely that we'll have northern lights over Ireland, the UK starting on Friday night (and probably up to Sunday night)".

Given the multiple huge flares from sunspot region 3664 over the past 24 hours, it's highly likely that we'll have #northernlights over Ireland, the UK starting on Friday night (and probably up to Sunday night). (1/n)@CarlowWeather @barrabest #aurora pic.twitter.com/LGbTTbqp8T

— Dr Brian O'Halloran @playingwithdust@mstdn.social (@playingwithdust) May 9, 2024

Friday and Saturday are expected to be the best of the days before rain is likely to return on Sunday.

Today

Any mist and fog clearing to leave a mainly dry day with good sunny spells. It will turn cloudy at times, making the sunshine rather hazy with the best of the bright spells across Leinster and Munster. Sea fog may affect south and east coasts at times. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees in light winds.

Continuing dry nationwide tonight with varying cloud amounts. Clear spells will increase overnight. Isolated mist and fog patches will form, mainly in southern parts. Lowest temperatures 7 to 11 degrees in light southeast or variable breezes.

Friday

Any morning cloud or patchy mist and fog, will give way to a dry and mostly sunny day, tomorrow, Friday. Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees in light to moderate south or southeast breezes, warmest inland. It'll be a little cooler near south and southeast coasts due to onshore breezes and there is a chance of sea fog drifting inland here at times.

It will continue dry on Friday night with long clear spells. Mist and fog will form overnight, particularly in parts of the south and west. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in light southeast or variable breezes.

Saturday

Saturday will be another mostly dry day with mist and fog clearing early on Saturday morning. Plenty of warm sunshine once again, although it will turn cloudier in Atlantic coastal counties during the afternoon with the chance of patchy rain or showers developing there during the evening. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees, warmest inland, in light to moderate southerly breezes.

Cloud will increase everywhere on Saturday night with outbreaks of rain in the western areas spreading eastwards overnight. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in light southerly or variable breezes.

Sunday

Current indications suggest Sunday will bring a mix of cloud and sunny spells with showers or longer spells of rain, some heavy with the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees in light and variable breezes.