Hot weekend ahead as mercury to hit 30
Weather Update from Met Éireann
There will be a short spell of hot weather this weekend and early next week, with daytime temperatures widely reaching the mid to high twenties and possibly the low thirties. The national weather forecaster says it will also be very warm by night, particularly on Monday night.
Most areas will be dry with sunny spells this morning, although there will be a few showers in Ulster. It will generally become cloudier for the afternoon and evening and a few showers will occur, mainly in Ulster, Connacht and north Leinster. Highest temperatures of 16 to 23 degrees, warmest near the south coast where the best of the sunshine will be, in a light to moderate west to northwest breeze.
Tonight will be mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of light rain, most frequent in Connacht and Ulster. There will be patches of mist and fog too. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in a light southwest to west or variable breeze.
Tomorrow morning will be largely cloudy with scattered light rain but it will brighten up through the afternoon and evening with spells of warm sunshine developing. Highest temperatures of 17 to 24 degrees, warmest in the south and southeast. It will be cooler along north facing coasts due to a light to moderate north to northwest breeze.
Dry with long clear spells and isolated mist and fog overnight on Friday. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees in a light and variable breeze.
Saturday morning will be dry with spells of hazy sunshine, however it will become cloudy at times during the afternoon and evening with isolated showers possible. Warm with highs of 20 to 25 degrees in a light south to southeast breeze.
There will be a few light showers early Saturday night but it will become dry with clear spells overnight. Very mild with temperatures remaining above 12 to 15 degrees, in a light south to southeast wind.
Sunday is promised very warm and dry with long spells of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees in a light south to southeast breeze.
Sunday night will again be warm and dry with clear spells. Temperatures will stay above 13 to 16 degrees and there will be a light south to southeast breeze.
Hot conditions are expected across most of the country with temperatures widely reaching 26 to 29 degrees. Temperatures of 30 or 31 degrees are possible in some areas. Isolated showers may occur but for the most part it will be a dry and sunny day with light south to southeast winds.
Monday night will feel very warm as temperatures stay above 16 to 19 degrees. It will be dry with light winds and mostly clear skies.
Very warm or hot conditions are likely to continue into Tuesday but current model indications are for a showery and thundery breakdown from Tuesday night, bringing an end to the hot spell.