BRUSH THE cobwebs off the barbecue, and break out the suncream: the weather over the Easter weekend is expected to be (mostly) warm, dry and sunny.

According to Met Eireann, Good Friday will start in less than promising fashion, with outbreaks of showery rain extending northwards to all areas in the morning, making for a cloudy day. However by afternoon, the first of the sunshine will break through, and temperatures will be 17 to 21 degrees.

Experts are divided on the outlook for Saturday: Met Eireann says the morning may see some scattered rain showers, but these will die out quickly. However – look away now if you’re easily upset – irishweatheronline is more downbeat about the prospects for Saturday, warning us to expect “a pulse of heavier rain” in the south and east.

But never mind that, because Easter Sunday morning looks set to offer perfect conditions for egg hunts, with the day starting out well and only getting better.

Easter Monday looks like being another gorgeous day – and the good weather’s expected to extended into the early days of next week.