Ireland is in for an unusual burst of heat as temperatures are set to soar to highs more often seen during the summer than at the end of October.
Met Eireann forecasters have said that temperatures will reach up to 18C on Thursday and 17C on Friday as we head into the Halloween bank holiday weekend.
This unseasonably warm weather, more often seen in July or August, is due to a "plunge" of warmer air moving in from the south of Ireland.
READ MORE: Met Eireann predicts date of temperature drop with 'rain, showers and frost' on the way
The heat spell is also affecting other countries in Europe with parts of the south of France set to reach close to 30C over the next few days as warm air from Africa is pushed north.
Alan O’Reilly, of Carlow Weather, took to Twitter to share weather models showing the bizarrely high temperatures across Europe, writing: "It will stay mild into early next week with Ireland set to see up to 18c tomorrow. Southern France could see up to 30c next few days!"
However, apart from the warm temperatures, it's not quite summer weather in Ireland as more showers are expected today. Heavier rain will move in from the west in the evening and there is a risk of some thundery downpours across the country overnight.
Here is a more detailed look at what's in store over the next few days:
Today, October 27
Outbreaks of rain this morning will break up in the afternoon and it'll be drier for a time with some sunshine. A spell of heavy rain will arrive on the west coast by evening. Mild for the time of year with temperatures in the afternoon of 15 to 18 degrees. Moderate southerly winds will increase fresh to strong and gusty later.
Widespread rain at first tonight, locally heavy with the chance of embedded thunderstorms. The rain will clear all but northeast and east counties by morning with clear spells and heavy showers following. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees in moderate southerly winds.
Friday, October 28
Sunny spells and scattered showers tomorrow, Friday, some of which will be heavy. The showers will be most frequent in the west with drier weather in the southeast. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in mostly moderate southwest winds, fresher in the southwest and west.
Clear spells at first tomorrow night. Rain will develop in the southwest, extending along southern coasts, then slowly pushing northwards. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees in mostly moderate south to southeast winds.
Saturday, October 29
Rain over the southern half of the country will be heavy at times on Saturday morning, bringing a risk of flooding. The rain will clear northwards in the early afternoon to scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in moderate southerly winds.
Most places will be dry on Saturday night, there is a chance of heavy showers on coasts of the south and east, possibly bringing thunderstorms to coastal districts at times. Lowest temperatures 9 to 11 degrees with moderate to fresh southeast winds.
Sunday, October 30
Sunny spells and scattered heavy showers becoming widespread on Sunday afternoon. Highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees in moderate to fresh south to southwest winds, strong at times in the afternoon and around showers.
Monday, October 31
Current indications suggest the weather remains unsettled for Bank Holiday Monday and early next week with further spells of rain or showers. It'll be windy at times and temperatures are expected to fall back a few degrees to the more seasonal average.
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