Met Éireann has revealed its early forecast for the August Bank Holiday weekend – and while there looks set to be plenty of dry weather, rain could return before the long weekend is over.

The national forecaster says the second half of the week will bring a good mix of sunshine and scattered showers, with temperatures climbing as high as 22C.

However, there is increasing uncertainty for Sunday and Monday, with current indications suggesting more unsettled conditions could develop.

Tuesday will remain humid and largely cloudy, with the best of the sunshine expected in the east and southeast.

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will be most persistent across the west and northwest, while many eastern and southern counties are expected to stay dry.

Highest temperatures will range from 18C to 26C, with the warmest conditions in the east.

Wednesday will start cloudy, with patchy rain and drizzle gradually clearing southeastwards as brighter conditions spread in from the west.

Temperatures will reach 16C to 23C, with the warmest weather again expected further east.

Looking ahead to the Bank Holiday weekend, Met Éireann is forecasting plenty of dry weather.

Thursday will bring sunny spells and scattered showers, with the showers becoming mostly confined to the northwest later in the day. Temperatures will range from 15C to 21C.

Friday is expected to see further sunshine and scattered showers, although southern counties are likely to stay driest. Highs of 15C to 21C are forecast.

The pick of the weekend currently looks to be Saturday, with Met Éireann predicting a largely dry day featuring a mix of sunshine and cloud, with only the chance of an isolated shower. Temperatures are expected to climb to between 16C and 22C.

The forecast becomes less certain from there.

Current indications suggest Sunday will remain largely dry with some showers, before rain potentially moves in from the southwest on Bank Holiday Monday.

Met Éireann said there is still ‘a good deal of uncertainty’ surrounding the finer details for the remainder of the long weekend, with the forecast likely to become clearer over the coming days.

For now, anyone planning a Bank Holiday barbecue or day out may want to make the most of Saturday, while keeping an eye on the forecast for Monday.