A mix of cloudy and sunny spells today with scattered showers forecast later for Co Kildare-and the heatwave could return as soon as this weekend

After several weeks of soaring temperatures, it look's like Ireland's heatwave has faltered somewhat with a mixed bag of weather and the return of cooler weather and scattered showers this week-but forecasters are predicting that the heatwave could return as soon as soon as the weekend with the country set to receive heaviest rain showers by the end of next week.

Met Eireann have confirmed that: "This weekend will have mostly dry weather and getting warmer again with highs of 21C to 27C."

Meanwhile, the weather will return to more normal conditions with temperatures staying within the late teens to early 20s with average temperatures and a mixture of sunshine and showers.

https://twitter.com/MetEireann/status/1019111983529054208

Tuesday will bring a mix of cloud and sunny spells, in light southwest breezes. A lot of dry weather generally however some well scattered showers will occur too, mainly later this afternoon or evening. Highest temperatures will range a near normal 18 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Overall dry tonight but there will be some further well scattered showers under broken cloud. A few mist and fog patches too in near calm. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees Celsius.

According to Professor Peter O'Donnell of Irish Weather Online, the forecast for this week includes:

TODAY ... Cloudy with some sunny intervals, a few showers, 2-4 mm potential west, 1-3 mm east. Highs about 20 C. ...

TONIGHT ... Clear intervals, showers dying out. Lows 7 to 10 C.

WEDNESDAY ... Sunny with cloudy intervals, isolated showers. Highs near 21 C.

THURSDAY ... Variable cloud, slight chance of showers in north mostly, lows 8 to 11 C and highs 19 to 22 C.

FRIDAY ... Sunny intervals, a bit warmer. Highs near 23 C.

WEEKEND OUTLOOK ... Some sunshine each day, intervals of low cloud and drizzle in some northwest coastal areas. Highs 21 to 24 C.

Meanwhile, Professor O'Donnell says that next week there will be "better chances for significant rain as the weather turns a bit cooler again for a few days, highs 17 to 20 C."