Ireland could be in for the hottest weekend of the year so far with Met Eireann predicting temperatures may reach the low 20s.
This would beat this year’s record of 20.9C which was hit on May 15.
It comes as high pressure is due to build over the country towards the weekend, bringing mostly dry, bright and mild conditions.
READ MORE: Heavy rain and thunderstorms due to hit today as Met Eireann forecast a week of dreadful conditions
Looking ahead to the weekend, the national forecaster said: “Current indications suggest that high pressure will build up over the country bringing largely dry conditions with just some showers breaking out.
“Turning milder as well with highest temperatures widely getting into the high teens, possibly reaching the low twenties.”
This would mark a dramatic change from the unsettled conditions over recent days, which have brought heavy rain, thunder and lightning.
The wet and windy weather is due to stick around until at least midweek, with Met Eireann saying: “Generally unsettled through midweek with rain or showers most days though with dry spells too. Becoming more settled towards the weekend with drier and milder conditions developing.”
Talking about Monday’s weather, the national forecaster said that more thunderstorms are likely.
A post on its website reads: “Dry in parts of the east at first. Otherwise, sunshine and passing squally showers for the rest of today giving some heavy downpours in places and some isolated thunderstorms or hail in parts too, especially over the eastern half of the country.
“Northwest winds will be mostly moderate but very gusty in and around the heavier showers. Highest temperatures of 12C to 15C.
“Early tonight, the showers will ease, gradually becoming isolated and mainly confined to western and northern parts. Largely dry elsewhere with long clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 5C to 8C in light to moderate westerly breezes.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday, it continued: “Tomorrow will be a day of scattered showers with spells of sunshine and just the odd heavy burst. Towards the evening, cloud will build from the west with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing on Atlantic coastal counties. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C in mostly moderate westerly winds.
“A mild, humid and cloudy or overcast night with light outbreaks of rain and drizzle extending eastwards across the country. Southwesterly winds will increase moderate to fresh, becoming strong on exposed coasts. Temperatures not falling below 8C to 10C.”
It will be more of the same on Wednesday, with Met Eireann saying: “Generally cloudy and breezy to start the day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, clearing eastwards during the morning. Sunny spells and scattered light showers will follow with fresh and gusty westerly winds easing. Highest temperatures ranging from 13C in the northwest to 17C in the southeast.”
Giving its forecast for the rest of the week, it said: “A dull and wet morning on Thursday with rain over much of the country, heaviest and most persistent over the northern half of the country. The rain will clear eastwards during the afternoon with sunny spells and well scattered showers following from the northwest. Highest temperatures of 13C to 18C in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.
“Predominantly dry for the day on Friday with the best of the sunshine in the north and east of the country. Further south and west it will be cloudier with the possibility of some patchy drizzle. Highest temperatures of 16C to 19C generally, a little cooler in parts of the north, in light breezes.”
READ MORE: Ireland set to be battered with dreadful conditions as hail and thunder spread across the country
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