Ireland's 'mini-heatwave' is due to arrive within hours, bringing scorching temperatures as well as bright and sunny conditions.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow ‘high temperature warning’ for the entire country from Sunday until Tuesday.
The alert warns daytime temperatures could reach 32C, while night time temperatures will not drop below 15C.
READ MORE: Ireland weather: Met Eireann map shows county most at threat as temperatures forecast to soar today
A forecaster said: “On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25C to 30C generally and possibly up to 32C in places on Monday. Night time temperatures will range from 15C to 20C.”
With temperatures rising by the day, Professor Luke O'Neill has claimed that the 'mini-heatwave' could make men hungry.
The immunologist claimed the bizarre side-effect was discovered in a recent study of 3,000 people by Tel Aviv University.
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Prof O’Neill said: “Sunshine is good for you — we know [that] anyway — but in men it stimulates the appetite.
“It’s a strange finding in some ways. They noticed in the men, appetite was stimulated and ate a bit more food and put on bit more weight.
“The big question is, ‘Why men versus women?’ Oestrogen seems to stop this process for some reason and women have more oestrogen than men.”
The mercury is expected to climb to 26C today with counties in the midlands set to get the best of the weather.
In its latest forecast for Saturday, Met Eireann said: "Today will be warm and mostly dry with hazy sunshine and occasional cloudy periods. A few isolated showers are possible in the north and northwest in the afternoon and evening.
"Highest temperatures of 20C to 26C, warmest in the midlands, in light southerly or variable breezes.
"Dry for most tonight with just isolated showers popping up, mainly over the northern half of the country. Otherwise there will be a mix of cloud and clear spells in light south to southeast winds.
"Remaining warm and humid tonight with temperatures generally not falling below 13C and 17C."
Looking ahead to tomorrow, it continued: "Very warm and dry with widespread hazy sunshine. Highest temperatures of 23C to 28C, warmest in the midlands, in light to moderate south to southeast winds.
"Another fairly warm night with temperatures remaining above 13C to 16C. Staying dry and mostly clear with just light southerly winds."
Monday is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far.
The national forecaster said: "Hot conditions across the country with widespread temperatures of 25C to 30C, possibly reaching 31C or 32C in some parts of the east and midlands. Dry for most, with just a few isolated showers, mainly in western parts. Mostly sunny with light south to southeast breezes, turning a little cloudier in some parts later in the day.
"Feeling very warm overnight with temperatures staying above 15C to 17C. Some showers may affect western parts, but otherwise it will be dry with light variable winds."
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