Ireland is experiencing its hottest day of the year, the UK is basking in glorious sunshine and mainland Europe is experiencing the summer's first heatwave.
But while temperatures will continue to be uncomfortably hot in Europe and the UK, Ireland will have it for one day only.
Met Eireann is forecasting that once the thunderstorms hit on Thursday evening, weather will deteriorate for a number of days.
Friday will again be very humid, although sunshine will be limited in most parts.
Temperatures will then struggle to make it into the 20s and rain will be a common feature of our forecast.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Isolated heavy showers on Friday morning but overall a good deal of dry weather. However, by early afternoon persistent rain will spread across much of Munster whilst showers develop in many other regions.
"Staying warm and humid in northern and eastern counties with highest temperatures of 20C to 24C but turning much fresher further south and west with maximum temperatures of 16C to 19C. Winds will become mainly southerly in direction increasing moderate in strength.
"The outlook for Friday night is for showery rain to continue in most areas with some heavy and possibly thundery bursts possible. Lowest overnight temperatures of 11C to 13C with light variable breezes. Some mist and fog is likely to form."
The weekend will then be filled with showers with temperatures heading back towards normal.
The forecaster added: "Frequent showers on Saturday with some turning heavy especially in parts of the north and northeast of the country.
"Winds mostly moderate and westerly in direction but increasing fresh to strong at times along southern coasts.
"Top temperatures between 14C and 17C. Further showers overnight the showers most frequent in the north and west of the country.
"Lowest temperatures will range 10C or 11C with mostly moderate westerly breezes but winds strong and gusty along Atlantic coasts.
"Sunday will see further showers although less frequent than Saturday with the best of the dry and bright weather in the south and east of the country.
"Top temperatures 15C to 18C with a moderate to fresh and gusty southwest to west winds strong along west and northwest coasts.
"Mostly dry overnight with a moderate to fresh southwest wind but winds will continue strong and gusty along the west and northwest coasts."
