Heat wave set to continue right through the weekend

Weather update from Met Éireann

We are getting close to official heat wave territory - with temperatures in the high 20s set to continue right through the weekend.

A heatwave occurs when temperatures of 25 degrees or more are recorded at a Met Éireann station for five consecutive days.

This afternoon will be warm or very warm and humid with sunny spells. Showers will push up from the southwest through the afternoon and evening, mainly over Munster and Connacht. Some will be heavy with thunderstorms possible. Highest temperatures of 21 to 27 degrees with light to moderate southerly or variable winds.

Showers will continue to move up over the country tonight, heavy and possibly thundery in places. Turning mainly dry in the southwest later. Very mild with temperatures not falling below 14 to 17 degrees, in light southwesterly or variable breezes. Some mist and fog patches too.

A good deal of cloud to start tomorrow with scattered showers, especially in the midlands, north and east with some possibly heavy. Better sunshine breaking through in the afternoon and evening as any showers ease. Highest temperatures of 19 to 25 degrees in light to moderate westerly breezes.

Mostly dry overnight on Thursday as winds fall light and variable, allowing areas of mist and fog to form. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees.

Sunny spells and dry on Friday, apart from a few isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 19 to 26 degrees with light to moderate northeasterly or variable breezes.

Saturday will start mainly dry with sunny spells. During the afternoon, some showers are likely to develop in the southwest, which could turn heavy or possibly thundery, with the showers edging further northwards over the country in the evening and overnight. Highest temperatures of 20 to 26 degrees in moderate easterly breezes, and very mild and muggy overnight.

Sunday will bring sunny spells and scattered showers which could turn heavy or thundery during the afternoon and evening, and will continue in parts overnight. High's on Sunday 19 to 26, warmest in the midlands and west, in moderate east to southeast breezes,

Monday will also bring sunny spells and some showers to parts which could be heavy or thundery. Temperatures in the low to mid 20s, a little cooler along the east and south coast, with onshore breezes.