High, dry, and warm weather on the way

Temperatures will rise into the low 20s next week as high pressure brings fine and settled weather.

In the meantime, scattered outbreaks of rain will continue for northern and eastern parts of Ireland on Friday.

The west and south are beginning largely dry, but scattered showers, with some thundery activity, will push in from the Atlantic during the afternoon before becoming isolated by evening.

Temperatures will reach 13-15°C in the west, but it will be a few degrees cooler in the east and northeast.

Rain will slowly clear the north and east on Friday night to leave a largely dry day on Saturday with some well-scattered showers. There will be spells of sunshine from early in the day in most areas away from the east coast, but even here sunny breaks will form during the afternoon.

Temperatures everywhere will range from 13-16°C, warmest in the Mid-West, inland West Ulster, and the Midlands.

Sunday will be generally overcast, but a few sunny breaks will form in places in the afternoon.

Some light rain or drizzle may edge into the northwest in the late morning and afternoon, with a small chance of some scattered showers elsewhere in moderate southwest winds. Top temperatures of 14 to 18°C.

Next week will be predominantly dry with temperatures gradually increasing into the low 20s by mid-week.

The warm temperatures may spark off some heavy showers later in the week.

A return to more seasonal temperatures of 14-16°C is favoured towards next weekend.