Warm week ahead as mercury set to climb towards 30°C

Weather update from Met Éireann

Residents can look forward to a largely dry and increasingly warm week, with temperatures expected to climb steadily and potentially reach 30°C by the end of the week.

Today (Monday) will begin on a mostly cloudy note, with patches of mist, drizzle and fog affecting many areas during the morning. These conditions are expected to become more isolated by the afternoon, lingering mainly across the north and northwest.

Brighter weather will develop across much of Munster and Leinster through the morning, with hazy sunshine becoming more widespread before gradually extending further north and west during the day.

Afternoon temperatures will vary considerably, reaching between 16°C and 19°C under persistent cloud in western and northwestern counties. Elsewhere, temperatures will rise to a pleasant 20°C to 25°C, with the warmest conditions expected across the south and east. Moderate westerly winds will prevail, becoming fresher in the northwest.

Tonight will remain largely dry for most areas, although cloud will increase from the west bringing patches of light rain, drizzle, mist and hill fog, particularly across parts of Ulster and Connacht. Further south and east, clearer spells are expected to persist. Overnight temperatures will fall to between 11°C and 15°C in light to moderate west to southwest winds.

Tuesday promises another fine summer's day for much of the country. Cloudier conditions with patchy drizzle will affect parts of Ulster and Connacht during the morning before clearing. Elsewhere, sunshine will dominate from early in the day, with bright conditions gradually spreading nationwide.

Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-twenties in most areas, while eastern and southeastern counties could see highs of 27°C or even 28°C. Coastal areas in the west, northwest and southwest will remain cooler, with temperatures in the mid to high teens due to a light to moderate westerly breeze.

Looking further ahead, the outlook remains very encouraging. The remainder of the week and the weekend are expected to bring extensive dry weather and prolonged spells of sunshine, with temperatures continuing to rise.

Wednesday is forecast to be largely dry after any early mist or patchy drizzle clears, with sunshine becoming increasingly widespread. Highs will generally reach the low to mid-twenties, with parts of Leinster once again likely to see temperatures of 27°C or 28°C.

Thursday will remain warm, with only isolated patches of light rain or drizzle, mainly in western and northern areas, before sunshine becomes more widespread later in the day.

By Friday, temperatures are expected to climb into the mid to high twenties, with some locations possibly reaching the 30°C mark. While most areas will stay dry and sunny, there is a slight risk of isolated heavy showers or thunderstorms developing.

The warm spell is expected to continue into the weekend, with daytime temperatures widely reaching the mid to high twenties and remaining unusually warm overnight, with temperatures holding between 16°C and 20°C. Although sunshine will dominate, the increased heat and humidity may trigger scattered thunderstorms in some areas.

Current indications suggest the settled, very warm and humid conditions will continue into early next week, with further sunshine accompanied by the ongoing possibility of showers and thunderstorms.