Ireland’s temperatures look set to get even hotter as the hot spell approaches an official heatwave.
The country has been engulfed in well-above average temperatures and wall-to-wall sunshine for more than a fortnight.
It comes as the area of high pressure that has brought the fine conditions is forecast to extend into the weekend and into next week.
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The highest temperature so far this year was 25.3C, which was reached at Shannon Airport in Clare last Thursday. Normal temperatures for Ireland in June are around 17C.
Met Eireann said thermometers could soar to 26C in places this weekend.
Forecaster Joanna Donnelly explained: “There is no change in the weather. The centre of the high pressure is moving eastward so we are getting a south-easterly wind and that will bring with it even warmer temperatures.
“Temperatures will peak at 26C on Saturday and will go even higher in a week’s time.”
Long-range weather maps show Ireland turning red with heat with all areas enjoying temperatures in the low to mid 20s. This indicates the country could be approaching an official heatwave.
Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above average temperatures, but the national forecaster said: "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.”
Despite the glorious forecast, some weather models show the potential for a major twist which could change everything.
Irish weather expert Alan O’Reilly shared the latest update on his Carlow Weather social media accounts today, writing: “Latest weather model charts show showers at the weekend but overall rainfall amounts look low at present. Next week is very uncertain with big swings in weather models.”
In an earlier post, he wrote: “Next week looks likely to see us in battleground between high and low and the winner is very uncertain.”
Long-range weather models are subject to change this far out as conditions can alter quickly.
In the short-term, Met Eireann says the weather will stay warm for the rest of the week and into the weekend. It added that it will stay largely dry up until Friday night, when some showery rain could move up from the south.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown, it said: “Largely dry and sunny Tuesday, however some cloud will bubble up this afternoon and evening with the slight chance of isolated showers in Ulster and north Connacht. Highs of 21C to 25C generally but a light easterly breeze will keep it a little cooler along the east coast with highs of just 17C to 21C.
“Wednesday will be dry and sunny. Highest temperatures of 19C to 25C generally, but again it will be cooler in the east due to a light to moderate easterly breeze, keeping highest temperatures there around 15C to 18C.
“Remaining dry and sunny Thursday, with the sunshine turning hazy at times. Highest temperatures ranging 16C to 24C east to west, with a light to moderate easterly breeze.
“Most places will see another dry and sunny day on Friday. It will turn cloudier at times and showers are possible in the southwest. Highest temperatures of 17C to 25C, warmest in the west, with a light to moderate easterly wind continuing.
“Cloud and showery rain is likely to extend northwards over the country on Saturday. Highest temperatures of 17C to 22C with a light to moderate east to southeast wind.
“The further outlook is for it to stay warm with showers at times. Maximum temperatures generally in the low twenties.”
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