Met Eireann has updated its weather forecast for Ireland, confirming that the ‘mini heatwave’ the country has been enjoying may last longer than expected.
The stunning weather first developed last week and Ireland has since enjoyed the warmest day of the year so far and wall-to-wall sunshine.
It appears there is no end in sight, with the national forecaster today stating: “A long spell of dry and settled weather is expected as high pressure remains positioned close to Ireland.”
READ MORE: Ireland weather: Met Eireann long-range forecast shows news we’ve been waiting for amid 25C scorcher
They went on to confirm it will continue over the June bank holiday weekend and right through the first week of June.
While some long-range weather maps show temperatures hitting a sweltering 27C later this week, Met Eireann’s current forecast predicts highs of 24C.
While some have dubbed it ‘mini-heatwave’, the meteorological agency has clarified that its heatwave conditions have not yet been met.
Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above average temperatures, but a forecaster previously told the Irish Mirror: "That is a working definition used by some other met offices, but the Met Eireann definition of a heatwave is five consecutive days of temperatures above 25C.”
Explaining Ireland’s current weather conditions,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 the weather, Met Eireann’s forecast reads: “Sunny nationwide Tuesday. Highest temperatures of 18C to 24C, although slightly cooler in some coastal regions. Light to moderate east to northeast or variable breezes.
“Mostly sunny again Wednesday, with just patchy cloud. Maximum temperatures ranging 18C to 24C in light to moderate east to northeast breezes. A little cooler along windward coasts.
“Any mist patches will clear quickly on Thursday morning to leave a dry day with lots of sunshine. Highest temperatures will generally range between 19C and 24C, again slightly cooler in some coastal areas due to onshore breezes.
“Friday looks set to be another dry day with sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud. Maximum temperatures of 18C to 24C, but again slightly less warm along Irish Sea coasts. Winds will be light to moderate northeast or variable winds.
“Little change is expected for the June bank holiday weekend with high pressure positioned near Ireland bringing largely dry and settled weather. There will be lots of sunshine and just a little patchy cloud. Afternoon highs will generally range from 18C to 24C, warmest in the west. Irish Sea coastal areas will be cooler at times due to onshore breezes.”
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