WHOT A WEEKEND

30C

IRELAND is set to bask in a heatwave with temperatures of up to 30C possible over the next few days.

It could hit 27C in places over the weekend but Met Eireann haven’t ruled out the possibility it may get even hotter.

The muggy weather is set to clear from some real sunny spells towards the end of the week thanks to a tropical airmass moving in.

Forecaster Paul Downs told the Irish Mirror: “It will get very warm from Friday onwards with just the odd fairweather cloud around.

“It will be sunny all weekend with the current model showing that the temperature will get to the mid to high 20s. We are not seeing it hitting 30C currently but it is possible as it’s still a long way out.

“The sunny weather will continue into next week but it is uncertain from the middle onwards.”

Meanwhile, punters are also betting that the mercury could hit highs of 30C in places.

The odds on Ireland having the hottest July on record have been cut as a result of the sizzling forecast and it is now just 2/1 from 3/1.

Nicola Mcgeady of Ladbrokes said: “With the mercury on the rise, the odds suggest some parts of the country could even bask in highs of 30C.

“The warmer weather has also caused the odds on the hottest July on record to be slashed.”

Today will see mist and drizzle clear this morning and although it will stay cloudy, it will also remain dry in most places.

Met Eireann added: “It will remain rather cloudy through the

day with just the chance of patchy drizzle on northern and western coasts at times.

“The best of any brighter or sunnier weather will be in the east and south. Highest temperatures 17C to 23C, warmest along the east coast in light to moderate westerly winds.”

And the temperature will slowly pick up in the days leading to Saturday, which could see highs of 26C or 27C across parts of the country.