Bookmakers in Ireland are betting that this week could bring the hottest day of the year so far.
Ladbrokes is now offering odds of 3/1 on temperatures reaching 20C before the end of the week, based off the weekly forecast released by Met Éireann.
The national meteorological service for Ireland said: "Mostly dry and settled with high pressure largely dominating. Mild in sunshine, especially across the west."
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Last year, Ireland recorded its warmest year on record with its highest temperature registered on July 18 at Dublin's Phoenix Park, as mercury reached 33C.
In April of 2022, Phoenix Park recorded the highest temperature of the month at 18.5C.
It is now odds-on at 1/2 that this week will deliver the hottest day of the year so far, according to Ladbrokes.
A spokesperson said: "With Ireland set to bask in glorious sunshine over the coming days according to Met Eireann, the bookies are also offering odds of just 3/1 that temperatures reach 20C before the end of the week.
"Elsewhere, after a washout start to spring, things could finally be looking up with odds now at 7/1 that this April is the hottest on record."
The odds according to Ladbrokes
- W/C 17th April to deliver the hottest day of the year so far - 1/2
- Temperatures to reach 20C before the end of W/C 17th April - 3/1
- April 2023 to be the hottest on record -7/1
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes stated that the weekend sunshine has raised hopes among punters that we could finally be getting some spring weather.
"A recent run of money, coupled with Met Éireann’s prediction for soaring temperatures this week, has forced us to slash the odds that this week will bring the hottest day of 2023 so far," she added.
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