Ireland is set to sizzle at the weekend as blasts of sunshine spread across the country.
Met Eireann has forecast the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching highs of 21 degrees.
The midlands, west and east will see the best of conditions as well as coastal areas, although these may be slightly more breezy.
A forecaster said: “Still looking good for the weekend, temperatures increasing for Friday, Saturday and Sunday with largely fine settled weather, sunny spells and up to 21c.”
However, looking ahead to next week, things will take a dire turn as rain moves in with heavy showers expected for most of the country.
Things will be very humid as temperatures remain high but damp.
Here is a more detailed look at Met Eireann’s forecast.
Thursday, May 12
A good deal of cloud across the country today with scattered showers. Some sunny intervals will develop, especially in the east and south of the country.
However, a spell of persistent rain is expected to spread across western and northern areas towards evening.
Highest temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees in a fresh southwest breeze.
Showers will become largely confined to western and northern counties overnight, with long dry and clear spells developing elsewhere.
Minimum temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds.
Friday, May 13
It will start rather cloudy on Friday with a few showers in the northwest. However, sunny spells will develop during the course of the day.
Top temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees generally but somewhat cooler in coastal areas of the west and northwest.
Fresh southwest winds will decrease light by evening.
Generally dry overnight with areas of mist and fog forming as winds fall light. Minimum temperatures a rather cool 6 to 9 degrees.
Saturday, May 14
Mist and low cloud will clear during Saturday to leave a mostly dry day with sunny spells.
There is just a small chance of the odd shower breaking out in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in light southerly or variable breezes.
Long clear spells on Saturday night with a few fog patches forming in light breezes. An isolated shower may drift in from the Irish Sea to affect some eastern counties.
Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in light east or northeast breezes.
Sunday, May 15
Long spells of warm sunshine are expected on Sunday, with just the small chance of a few showers developing in the west on Sunday afternoon.
Maximum temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees generally but a little cooler on coasts as sea breezes develop.
Mostly dry early on Sunday night with clear spells and lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees. However, rain will develop in the southwest before dawn on Monday.
Monday, May 16
Rain in the southwest will extend quickly northwards over the country on Monday, turning heavy in places with some thundery downpours possible.
Drier and brighter conditions will extend from the south later in the day. A humid day with highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in fresh southeast breezes.
Dry for a time on Monday night, but a spell of rain will push up from the south later in the night, and it will turn quite blustery. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong southeast winds.
Tuesday, May 17
Early indications are that Tuesday will be a damp and humid day with outbreaks of rain and gusty southerly winds.
Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees.
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