Ireland’s temperatures appear to be going from strength to strength thanks to an area of high pressure that is bringing settled and dry weather with wall-to-wall sunshine.
Tuesday was the warmest day of the year so far as thermometers soared to 24.9C in Co Clare.
It looks like there is no end in sight to the ‘mini heatwave’ conditions, as Met Eireann has confirmed the stunning weather will continue over the June bank holiday weekend and right through the first week of June.
READ MORE: Met Eireann updates forecast with unexpected twist in ‘mini-heatwave’ duration for Ireland
Weather maps show temperatures creeping towards 30C with certain areas in Ireland more likely to get the best of the heat.
Forecasters say it will be warmest in the west, and cooler in the east, particularly near the coast.
Ireland’s meteorological agency says mercury will generally range between 19C and 25C, with the east on the lower end of the scale.
Meanwhile, temperatures could slide higher than 25C in the west at times, beating what is forecast for Spain.
Spanish holiday hotspots like Malaga, Lanzarote and Ibiza can expect top temperatures of just 23C this week along with heavy and thundery rain at times.
Met Eireann's own air temperature map shows 27C possible for parts of Mayo and Galway.
Explaining Ireland’s current weather conditions, and how it compares to Spain, meteorologists Rebecca Cantwell and Evelyn Cusack said: “The current fine spell is set to continue over the June bank holiday weekend and right through the first week in June.
“The Azores anticyclone (high pressure system) is shifted from its normal position around the Azores (and hence its name) up to the north of Ireland producing an Easterly airflow over Ireland.
“This is called a blocking high Pressure system as it literally blocks out the rainbelts in the Atlantic and diverts away the Jet stream and low pressure systems to the north and to the south and in fact over the Azores the Azores High has been replaced this week by a Low Pressure system and rain.
“Over Southern Europe daytime heavy showers and thunderstorms will occur from Portugal over to Greece, while we enjoy fine, dry weather.”
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what weather to expect, Met Eireann said: “Wednesday will be another mostly sunny day, cloudier though in parts of the east. Highest temperatures will generally range between 19C to 25C, warmest in the west. However, light to moderate east to northeast winds will keep it a couple of degrees cooler for eastern areas and exposed coasts.
“Thursday will be another mostly sunny day though cloud will build across Ulster at times. Highest temperatures will range from 19C to 25C generally though once again, light to moderate easterly winds will keep it a little cooler for eastern areas.
“Another warm and sunny day Friday outside of some possible cloud building across Ulster. Highest temperatures of 18C to 24C or 25C, all the while a little cooler though along Irish Sea coasts. Winds will be light to moderate northeast or variable.
“Little change is expected over the June bank holiday weekend with high pressure positioned near Ireland bringing a continuation of the sunny settled weather - again some cloud may feed in across Ulster. Afternoon highs will generally range from 18C to 25C, warmest further west, away from Irish Sea coasts in mostly light easterly breezes.”
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