After a relatively poor weekend on the weather front, Ireland is set to sizzle in the sun over the coming days as the sunshine returns.
At present, temperatures are being forecast for the mid-20s over the coming week with Friday expected to hit 26 degrees in part of the country.
In terms of the overall forecast, conditions are set to become more settled as the week develops with a period of high pressure dominating the weather pattern. It will be dry and warm in most counties, with temperatures reaching the mid-twenties towards the end of the week.
On that note. here's what's in store...
Monday morning and afternoon
A cloudy start to the week is expected with occasional bright spells and isolated showers, mostly in the east.
There will be sunny spells and scattered showers as the afternoon develops, turning heavy over the eastern half of the country at times with risks of isolated thunderstorms and spot flooding.
Highest temperatures of 18 to 21 or 22 degrees.
Monday night
The heavy showers over the country's eastern half will fade away, leaving a mostly dry night with clear spells and isolated showers.
Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.
Tuesday morning and afternoon
A cloudy start to the day with scattered patches of drizzle developing on the western coast.
Elsewhere, there will be largely dry and sunny spells developing through the day. Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees.
Tuesday night
A dry night is expected with just a few patches of drizzle along the Atlantic coast. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees.
Wednesday morning and afternoon
A dry morning with sunny spells is on the horizon.
However, as the day develops, it will be cloudier over western coastal counties with patchy light rain and drizzle developing. Highest temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees generally, a little cooler along western coasts with temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees.
Wednesday night
A cloudy night is expected but most areas will stay dry. Patchy and light rain is expected in the west and this will move inland overnight.
A warm night with the lowest temperatures ranging between 13 to 16 degrees.
Thursday morning and afternoon
A cloudy start with scattered patches of rain and drizzle. It will become drier and brighter through the day though, with sunny spells developing.
Highest temperatures of 19 to 23 degrees, cooler along western and northern coasts.
Friday
Met Eireann state that: "Current indications suggest that there will be a good deal of dry weather on Friday apart from light showers in the west."
However, renowned weather expert Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather is expecting Friday to be even warmer though with the mercury reaching 26 degrees.
He said: "Great cross model agreement now on high pressure moving up over Ireland by Friday. It may not be clear blue skies but it will be dry and warmer so if the weather is getting you down today remember it will get better. Finer details this far out can change but Friday could be a cracking day with up to 26c and good sunshine."
The weekend
The weekend will stay largely dry with spells of sunshine. It will be warm too with temperatures widely reaching the mid-twenties.
