Don't put the flip-flops away just yet!

You’ve been wearing flip-flops or summery sandals for the past two days but the cloudy skies have prompted you to question whether or not to continue for the rest of the week, right?

Keep the faith - we’re going to be reunited with the sun again very shortly.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent a short while ago today (Tuesday), Met Eireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly said temperatures are set to soar once more from midway through Thursday.

Until then the weather will remain as it currently is - somewhat cloudy with sporadic sunshine breaking through, dry with light winds and temperatures of between 21 and 23 degrees.

“After that we’re expecting it to get dry, hot and sunny again,” she added.

From Thursday on temperatures in the mid to later 20s will be back once more, and it’s thought the sunny spell will continue into the latter half of next week.

With a number of drownings a tragic feature of last week’s sunshine, Ms Donnelly said Met Eireann is reminding the public ahead of the next expected heatwave to be careful on waterways both inland and coastal.

Offaly County Council meanwhile has issued a water conservation notice as a result of the recent period of dry weather.

In particular the public are requested to avoid watering lawns or gardens by hose, avoid private car washing, repair or place leaking taps and ball cocks, recycle water so far as is practicable, check all drinking troughs and repair as necessary and repair leaking services or supplies.

More information on the conservation notice is available at www.offaly.ie.