The dream of a long, hot, hazy summer is alive again after a few warm, sunny days this week. And maybe it will all work out this year, because while Met Eireann does not make long-range forecasts, the amateur weather experts are predicting a very good summer.
"The truth is that nobody knows at this stage," says Brendan McWilliams, The Irish Times columnist on weather matters, who works for the European Meteorological Satellite Organisation.
But the small network of amateur forecasters who observe nature to predict weather patterns see several hopeful signs. Their information is channelled through amateur forecaster T.P. O Conchuir, who monitors the signs from his home in Ballydavid, Co Kerry.
"It's going to be a very warm summer this year, and when it's hot it will be extremely hot," he says.
As summer approaches, the movements of spiders, bees, frogs and dolphins assume great importance for these weather-watchers.
T.P. predicted the very hot summer of 1995 after observing the behaviour of dolphins on the Kerry coast. The signs have never let him down, he says.
On hearing his 1995 prediction, a chemist ordered twice as much sun cream as usual. Her business boomed, but she rang to complain the following year when the summer he predicted fell short of her expectations.
Many of the signs have a sound basis, he says.
"This year the frogs are spawning in very deep pools and that's a very good sign. They are afraid that the water will dry up in the summer."
Another weather-watcher has drawn his attention to the proliferation of spiders this year. "If there are lots of spiders, then they must expect that there will be lots of food for them. A hot summer will bring plenty of flies," he says.
But for T.P. one of the strongest indicators is the activity of plants such as fuchsia. "The fuchsia budded very late this year, and that was a good sign."
Mr McWilliams does not dismiss predictions based on nature, but says they only have short-term implications.
"It is possible that some animals are more sensitive to weather changes, but that would be just for the next 12 hours or so. Otherwise, animals can't tell any more about the weather than we can," he says.
A Met Eireann spokesman says the service produces forecasts for four or five days in advance, and for slightly longer in settled conditions.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts makes seasonal weather predictions, but releases this information only to the national meteorological services.
A British meteorologist, Piers Corbyn, has been criticised by some other meteorologists for claiming he can accurately predict weather patterns as far as 11 months in advance. He uses a solar weather technique which links the Earth's weather patterns to the sun's activities.
Accurate weather forecasting has become big business. The World Meteorological Organisation estimates that correct forecasting saves the global economy about $40 billion annually.
Mr McWilliams says longer-range weather forecasts can be made in countries affected by the El Nino weather system, but this does not include Europe.
While Met Eireann will not venture a prediction for this summer, it can tell us that the past two summers were better than average, compared with the summers from 1961 to 1990.
Last summer was the driest since 1995 at most Met Eireann stations, and temperatures were above normal for the sixth successive summer.
Sunshine levels were also above normal. Belmullet recorded the highest daily value of 15.1 hours of sunshine on both July 21st and 22nd.
Most weather almanacs make forecasts by examining statistics from previous years. This year's Old Moore's Almanac has forecast an unpredictable May, a sunny June and a warm July. Heavy thunderstorms are predicted for August.
So what is predicted for this weekend? According to Deirdre Lowe at Met Eireann, the weekend will remain mainly dry and warm, with the possibility of light rain late today and early tomorrow. Monday is expected to be bright and mainly dry.
For a longer-range forecast, consult the frog spawn.