A hot spell is set to grace Ireland in the coming days with temperatures hitting the mid-twenties for the next week.
The miserable start to the month will finally change as the sun and above average heat arrive from Monday and stick around until Friday at the earliest.
Weather experts predict the rain will subside on Sunday morning before the welcome turn in conditions begins to take hold.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Generally cloudy this morning with isolated patches of light rain or drizzle and some areas of mist or fog. Sunny spells will develop in most areas through the day and it will be largely dry apart from isolated light showers.
"However, it will stay cloudier in the southwest with patchy light rain or drizzle. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees in light west to northwest or variable breezes."
Monday will see the mercury rise as high as 23C in parts of the country and signal the start of a stunning week.
The forecaster said: "Any mist and fog will quickly clear on Monday morning. It will be a warm day with good spells of sunshine but well scattered showers will develop in the afternoon. Temperatures will reach 20 to 23 degrees generally but it will be a little cooler along the coastline and winds will be light and variable.
"Mist and fog will quickly clear on Tuesday morning leaving a largely dry day with warm spells of sunshine. Some isolated light showers may develop in the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees generally but a little cooler on eastern and southern coasts in the light easterly breeze."
And Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all look set to be scorchers, the forecaster added: "Wednesday will be warm and dry with long spells of sunshine. Temperatures will reach 20 to 25 degrees and winds will be light and variable.
"Dry and mostly sunny with highest temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees. Possibly cloudier in the northeast, keeping highs around 17 to 19 degrees. Winds will continue light and will be north to northeast or variable in direction.
"Another mostly dry and sunny day although a few showers may develop in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees in light easterly or variable winds."
