Ireland could be set for a 27C heatwave prompted by the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa into the North Atlantic.
Met Eireann said temperatures will reach 22C this weekend as the violent storm, which is currently battering the East coast of the US, spins off towards Iceland.
And they predict the high pressure system it brings could give us the hottest day of the year so far towards the end of next week.
Met Eireann tweeted: “Depending on Storm Elsa’s track over the coming days, high pressure may build over Ireland through next week, signalling the possibility of temperatures rising into the mid-20s across Ireland.”
Forecaster Gerry Murphy added: “There is a potential for some very warm weather on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. We could be looking at 27C by next Friday or Saturday.”
In the meantime, we are set for a showery but warm weekend with temperatures hitting 21C.
The weekend will see a mix of sunshine and showers, with outbreaks of heavy and potentially even thundery showers in places on Sunday.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "A rather dull start on Saturday with lingering overnight mist and drizzle clearing. Some good sunny spells will gradually develop but with scattered showers occurring too - some heavy in the west towards evening. More general rain will edge into Atlantic counties before nightfall. Warm with top temperatures of 18 to 21 or 22 degrees Celsius, in a light southerly or variable breeze.
"Rather misty tonight with scattered outbreaks of rain, mainly affecting the south and west. Mild and humid with light southerly breezes; lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees Celsius.
"Scattered outbreaks of showery rain will occur on Sunday - some heavy and possibly thundery with possible spot flooding. Some bright or sunny spells too with mostly light variable breezes. Highest temperatures will range 16 to 20 degrees Celsius, warmest across the midlands, north and east.
"Clear spells and well scattered showers on Sunday night. Some mist or shallow fog patches too. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees Celsius, in light variable mainly northwesterly breezes."
And as we move into next week experts are predicting it to turn "warm or even very warm as high pressure builds" with temperatures looking set to soar.
Highs could hit the mid-twenties by late next week as the new hot weather system moves in.
A forecaster added: "Overall dry on Monday with a mix of sunny spells and well scattered showers. Feeling warm with top temperatures of 18 to 22 or 23 degrees Celsius, in light northwest breezes.
"Clear spells and isolated showers will follow on Monday night, chiefly affecting the Atlantic coast. Once again, some mist or shallow fog patches will occur. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees Celsius, in just light westerly breezes.
"Patchy drizzle will affect Atlantic counties on Tuesday, otherwise it'll dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Highest temperatures 17 to 22 degrees, warmest across east and southeast counties. Outside of the odd spot of drizzle, it'll be dry and cloudy after dark with possible local mist or shallow fog patches. Mild with lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees Celsius in light northwest breezes.
"Most areas will be dry on Wednesday with sunny spells, with just the odd shower. Feeling warm widely with top temperatures of 18 to 22 or 23 degrees Celsius, in just light northwest breezes.
"Current indications suggest high pressure will build and temperatures will widely climb into the mid-twenties later in the week."
