Get the BBQ in early – Monday’s out to ruin the vibe.

If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to fire up the barbecue or hit the beach, here it is: Met Éireann says we’re in for a mostly dry and sunny start to the August bank holiday weekend.

But – and there’s always a but – you might want to wrap things up before Monday, when the weather gods appear to be planning their usual long weekend betrayal.

Today (Friday) is looking pretty lovely, all things considered – apart from the odd, well-behaved shower this morning, we’ll get sunny spells this afternoon and evening, with temperatures climbing to a respectable 17 to 21 degrees.

Not quite Costa del Cork, but we’ll take it.

Tonight stays dry, and while Saturday will be a bit cloudier and may flirt with patches of drizzle and mist, it’s still shaping up to be pretty pleasant, with highs of 17 to 20 degrees. Perfect for a ‘just one’ in a beer garden.

Sunday’s forecast is giving solid bank holiday energy – any overnight rain should clear early, leaving us with dry and bright weather for most of the day, and temps between 16 and 20 degrees. That’s your window. Use it wisely.

Because then there’s Monday, which – in true bank holiday fashion – is planning a dramatic entrance. Expect a wet and windy start, complete with strong gusts and widespread rain, followed by some sunny spells and scattered showers (classic damage control). Highs will hover between 16 and 21 degrees, which might comfort you as you mop up puddles from the back door.

In short: BBQ early, dry your washing by Sunday, and maybe don’t plan any wild outdoor adventures for Monday.