New weather maps show when Ireland could finally see some warm weather.
Long-range weather models, which are subject to change this far out, show temperatures reaching the mid-20s next weekend, thanks to a plume of hot air from the Mediterranean.
Met Eireann is predicting “slightly higher than average temperatures for late May” as high pressure from the southwest dominates.
READ MORE: Met Eireann May heatwave verdict as weather maps show Ireland roasting in near 25C heat
High pressure is usually associated with fine, warm and settled weather, particularly in the summer months.
Following a washout few weeks, which included thunder and lightning storms, sunny weather could finally push the clouds away .
For the week of May 12 to May 18, the national forecaster said: ”There is medium to high confidence of high pressure building to the southwest and dominating our weather. This will likely lead to drier than average conditions for mid May, along with temperatures being slightly higher than average.”
The long-range forecast for the following week, May 19 to 25, continues: “Uncertainty grows in the forecast and there is a less clear signal for any pressure pattern to become dominant for the week. However, there is a slight signal for low pressure to the southwest of the country. Nevertheless, temperatures will likely be slightly higher than average for late May, with rainfall amounts signalled to be lower than average.”
Maps appear to show temperatures hitting the mid-20s during the weekend of May 19-21.
For the last week of the month, from May 26 to June 1, it concluded: “This week has very little signal for high or low pressure to dominate our weather in late May into the start of June. Once again, temperatures are signalled to be above average. Rainfall amounts have a weak signal to be at or below average for the time of year.”
In the meantime though wet and stormy weather is forecast to continue today, with Met Eireann issuing six-hour thunderstorm warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow, which expires at 7pm.
The weather is forecast to improve for the weekend, before turning cooler from Sunday.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown, Ireland’s meteorological agency said: “Most places will be dry Friday, with spells of sunshine developing, and just the chance of a few light showers bubbling up in the afternoon and early evening. Highest temperatures of 15C to 19C in a light northerly breeze.
“Any patchy mist and fog will soon clear on Saturday morning, leaving a mostly dry day with spells of hazy sunshine. Isolated showers are possible in the afternoon and cloud will thicken from the west during the evening. Highest temperatures of 16C to 20C in light, variable breezes.
“Damp and cloudy to begin on Sunday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle giving way to sunshine and a few showers extending from the northwest. The last of the rain and drizzle will likely clear the east coast by evening. Much cooler than the preceding days with maximum temperatures of 12C to 14C. Light to moderate southerly winds will turn northwesterly and increase moderate to fresh as the rain clears.
Mostly dry and sunny to begin Monday but cloud will tend to build from the Atlantic through the morning, producing a cloudier afternoon with a few light showers scattered about. Sunny spells will increase again through the later afternoon and evening. Highs of 12C to 14C in light to moderate northwest breezes.
“High pressure looks set to dominate bringing generally dry and settled conditions, but winds will be northwest in direction keeping temperatures on the cool side of average for the time of year.”
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