Met Eireann says temperatures could hit 26C today as Ireland simmers under a tropical 'heat dome'.
High pressure has started stretching into Ireland from the Atlantic Azores Island, off the Portugal coast.
The so-called Azores High weather phenomenon is set to trap a bubble of rapidly warming air like a pressure cooker.
READ MORE: Experts warn Ireland could see edge of scalding 43C heat as the UK prepare for 'worst case scenario'
Sunday was the hottest day of the year so far, with 26.5C recorded in Co Clare.
The national forecaster said: "High pressure is set to dominate our weather this week with a largely dry and warm in a mostly light to moderate southwesterly airflow.
"Drier than average conditions are expected throughout the country though light precipitation is possible at times, especially in the north and west.
"Slightly warmer than average conditions are expected throughout the country."
Monday is expected to be very warm with highs of 26C forecast.
The rest of the week is set to see temperatures hover around the low 20s, before rising again for the weekend.
Weather expert Alan O'Reilly shared some long-range weather models - which are subject to change - on his Carlow Weather Twitter page which show temperatures as high as 29C in Ireland this weekend.
He said: "Weather models continue to show a risk of a hot plume around the 17th. Mid thirties in England and possibly up to 29c in Ireland in a worse/best case scenario depending on your outlook. Certainly one to keep an eye but it will be a short lived event."
The warm weather has not yet been classed as a heatwave by Met Eireann, but it is possible.
Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above average temperatures.
A Met Eireann forecaster explained: “That is a working definition used by some other met offices, but the Met Eireann definition of a heatwave is five consecutive days of temperatures above 25C.”
It comes as a British forecaster has said a 'nudge in the right direction' could see temperatures across the pond reach a sizzling 35C.
Some models are showing temperatures as high as 43C in parts of England this weekend, but this is thought to be an exaggerated prediction.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden told the Express: “It is possible that temperatures could push past the 35C-mark in parts of the country, and all this would take would be a small nudge in the right direction.
“It is going to be very hot for a sustained period of time as Britain gets ready for a major heatwave.”
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin added: “There is the possibility of some extreme heat at the back end of the week.
“Temperatures will pick up on Sunday and into Monday, and we are likely to see values in parts of eastern England of 30C.
“High pressure compresses the air which will be squashed down, and this will lift temperatures.”
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