Weekend heatwave to hit 31C

soaring temperatures ahead as irish summer returns

GET the sun cream out – Ireland is set to be hit with a searing heatwave this weekend.

A stifling weather system from the Azores is making its way north and some experts are suggesting it could be as high as 31C.

While thick fog continued to blanket the country yesterday, the sun is expected to burn through over the coming days. Today and tomorrow will see temperatures improving gradually, making way for our hottest spell of the year.

A Met Eireann spokesman said: “Thursday will be a dry day with sunny spells and light northerly breezes. Temperatures will range from 14C in the north to 18C in southern areas. Dry, calm and settled with high pressure building.

“Tomorrow night will be dry with long clear spells and light northerly breezes.

“Rather cool, with lowest temperatures of 4C to 8C possibly dipping lower locally in a rural spots. Friday will be dry with sunny spells and light northerly breezes.

“Highest temperatures will range 14C to 19C. Feeling pleasantly mild by mid-afternoon.

“Becoming warmer and sunnier this weekend with values reaching the low or even mid 20s with the hottest on Sunday. Values climbing further into next week with possible heatwave conditions.

“Saturday will be dry, calm and mostly sunny with just wispy high cloud about generally.

“It will be very mild and warmest inland and across the south. Sunday will be the warmer day of the weekend with long spells of hazy sunshine.”