A striking midday satellite image from NASA’s MODIS instrument has revealed Ireland and Britain almost entirely free from cloud cover, save for scattered cloud and a band of cloud circling the islands.

The formation is a textbook sign of high pressure anchored over the region, keeping skies largely clear and temperatures climbing.

Shannon Airport in County CLare has emerged as the country’s warmest location so far today, recording 29 degrees Celsius at 5pm. Forecasters expect that figure to be surpassed later this afternoon, with temperatures in some areas nudging 28 degrees before day’s end.

The warm, settled conditions are set to persist for much of the week, with plenty of sunshine on offer. However, Met Éireann has warned that the heat will also provide fuel for heavy showers and thunderstorms in places, particularly over the next two days. The most intense downpours are expected midweek, especially across Leinster and Ulster, bringing a risk of localised flooding.

By the weekend, conditions are expected to become more settled again, with high pressure likely to remain in place into early next week, keeping temperatures above average for the time of year.