Ireland set to sizzle as surprise heatwave will bring soaring temperatures of 26 degrees

After weeks of rain and chilly conditions, Ireland is in for a dramatic turnaround this weekend as forecasters are predicting sunshine and soaring temperatures.

High pressure is set to build from Friday into the weekend bringing with it increasingly dry, sunny and warm conditions as Met Éireann have forecast temperatures to soar as high as 27 degrees in some places.

Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said Monday may see the highest temperatures but is unsure whether the conditions will stay for the June Bank Holiday weekend.

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Meanwhile, Met Éireann have given their six-day-forecast saying temperatures on the rise through the rest of this week with high pressure becoming more dominant this weekend.

Today

Variable cloud amounts, sunny spells and just a few light showers today, Wednesday. Cloud will thicken from the south-west later, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle pushing in towards evening and extending over much of Munster, south Connacht and south-west Leinster by nightfall. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds becoming southerly this evening.

Mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle continuing to extend northeastwards over the country early tonight. The rain and drizzle will turn patchier overnight. There'll be some mist and hill and coastal fog around too. Mild with lowest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees, in light to moderate, occasionally fresh, southerly winds.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with patchy rain, drizzle and mist to begin tomorrow, Thursday. A more persistent spell of rain will spread northwards over the country during the afternoon. Drier, clearer conditions will follow from the south with some hazy sunshine developing in places.

Mostly cloudy and misty conditions with patchy drizzle will, however, persist in parts of the west and southwest. Highest temperatures of 14 to 19 degrees, warmest across the midlands, east and north, in light to moderate southerly winds, increasing fresh at times near Atlantic coasts.

Cloudy conditions in the west and south-west with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle will spread eastwards to all parts on Thursday night. There'll be a few mist patches too, along with hill and coastal fog in the south. Another mild night, with lowest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees, with light to moderate southerly winds.

Friday

Mostly cloudy to begin on Friday with patchy rain, drizzle and mist. Cloud will break up through the afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers developing. It'll remain cloudy along western and southern coasts, though. Highest temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees, warmest across the midland, north and east, with moderate southerly winds, easing light to moderate south to southwest later.

Any showers will largely die out on Friday night leaving variable cloud amounts and clear breaks. There'll be patches of mist along with hill and coastal fog too. Lowest temperatures 9 to 12 degrees in mainly light south-west or variable breezes.

Saturday

Saturday looks set to be a mostly dry day with warm sunny spells developing for most and just the chance of an odd shower in Atlantic coastal parts. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees generally, a little cooler in coastal fringes, in light southerly or variable breezes.

Sunday 

Current indications suggest Sunday will be a dry, warm and sunny day for most, although mist and fog may linger in some coastal areas. Some thicker cloud and patchy rain or drizzle could affect the northwest. Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees in light south-east or variable breezes.

Early Next Week

High pressure looks set to dominate into early next week with generally dry and settled conditions persisting and daytime highs potentially reaching the mid-twenties in places.