Ireland is on the brink of an imminent scorcher, with new weather maps showing temperatures pushing 20C for a prolonged period.
A warm spell is forecast to begin this week thanks to an area of high pressure dominating Ireland’s weather.
Some long-range forecasts predict it could last into the start of June as the system extends over the country bringing mostly warm and dry conditions.
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Met Eireann has promised overall “drier and milder than average” conditions with temperatures reaching 20C at times this week - but has ruled out a heatwave.
Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above average temperatures, but a Met Eireann forecaster previously told the Irish Mirror: "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 long-range weather maps - which are subject to change this far out - show warm temperatures beginning from today and lasting until the end of next week.
Some show the mercury rising as high as 23C in parts on Sunday, May 28.
In the meantime, for the rest of this week, Ireland can expect mostly warm and dry weather.
Friday and Saturday have been pinpointed as the warmest days by the national forecaster who said thermometers could reach 20C.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown, Met Eireann said: “Dry for the rest of the day Wednesday, with a mix of cloud and hazy sunshine. Highest temperatures of 15C to 19C in a light to moderate southwest to west wind.
“Dull in the west Thursday morning with outbreaks of rain or drizzle, becoming dry and brighter here later in the afternoon. For the rest of the country it will be dry to start with some bright spells, but patchy rain will spread from the west during the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 14C to 18C with light to moderate southwest to west breezes.
“Mostly dry Friday with isolated showers. A good deal of cloud around with just occasional sunshine. Highs of 15C to 19C with light northwest breezes.
“Some patchy rain likely in Atlantic coastal counties on Saturday; staying mostly dry further east with a mix of cloud and bright spells. Highs for most between 16C to 19C or perhaps 20C, but cooler under cloudier skies to the west. Just light breezes.
“Rather cloudy Sunday with scattered outbreaks of rain or drizzle; mainly in the west and northwest with brighter weather elsewhere and the odd shower. Highs of 16C to 19C, possibly cooler for the north and west. Light to moderate northwest winds.”
Looking ahead to next week, it predicted: “There is some uncertainty with the potential for temperatures to trend downwards as a result of a possible low pressure system passing over Iceland, consequently feeding in somewhat cooler and more showery conditions across Ireland.
“Nevertheless,it looks likely that it will still be milder and drier than normal nationwide. It is possible that high pressure will dominate as a result.”
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