Warm and dry weather to continue into next week

Temperatures will reach the low to mid-20s, and there will be abundant sunshine across Ireland over the next week.

High pressure rooted over Ireland and Britain is drawing in a warm airmass from the continent and keeping Atlantic systems at bay.

Scattered thunderstorms will break out in parts of the Midwest and Southwest this afternoon, leading to localised heavy downpours. It will remain dry elsewhere.

Thursday through mid-week next week will remain fine and dry, with an increasing likelihood that the highest temperature of the year to date will be beaten in the west or northwest over the next three days. Athenry in Galway’s record April temperature of 25.9°C was recorded on the last day of the month.

Temperatures will gradually dip back to the low to mid-teens from mid-week next week. High pressure will weaken, allowing Atlantic systems to encroach from the west.

More widespread rain is anticipated from next Thursday or Friday, although there will be good dry spells in between.

Rainfall totals will be around average for the time of year, which may be insufficient to dramatically reverse increasing Soil Moisture Deficits (SMDs), restrictions to growth, and low reservoir levels across Ireland.