Temperatures exceed 20c as sunshine returns

Ireland enjoyed warm spells of sunshine on Tuesday afternoon, marking the opening day of a extended spell of largely dry weather.

The thermometer reading reached 21c at Derry and Kerry Airport at lunchtime on Tuesday, with temperatures elsewhere ranging from 16 to 20c.

Some fog banks along the east and northeast coast kept temperatures a little lower.

Summer-like conditions were visible on live webcams across Ireland, including in Kinsale, Ballybunion, Strandhill, Killarney, Dublin, and The Aran Islands.

A high-pressure system is set to dominate over the next 10 days, bringing settled and largely dry conditions. Rainfall totals are expected to remain below average, while temperatures are likely to remain above seasonal norms.

Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures potentially reaching 23 to 24°C, accompanied by a light east to northeast wind. However, isolated thundery showers are possible in the north and Midlands during the evening.

On Thursday, a northerly airflow may bring occasional showers across parts of the country, but overall, conditions are forecast to remain predominantly dry heading into early May.