Warm weekend ahead, with temperatures set to hit mid-20s

There's good news on the weather front this weekend, with dry and very warm conditions expected in the Midlands.

But the indications from Met Éireann are that we should enjoy it while we can as cooler and more unsettled conditions will be on the way next week.

Today will be mainly dry with maximum temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees - warmest in the east - but it will then getting steadily warmer over the weekend.

On Saturday morning, cloud and a few spots of drizzle will extend eastwards. It will brighten up through the afternoon with some sunshine, but will continue mostly cloudy in parts of the west and north. It will be warm in Leinster and Munster, with highs of 21 to 23 degrees.

Sunday will be very warm and dry across Leinster, Munster and east Ulster with sunny spells and highest temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees in light to moderate southwest breezes. It will be a bit cooler and cloudier in western counties, where there will be highs of 16 to 21 degrees with showers developing in Connacht an and Ulster through the evening.

Looking ahead to next week and Monday will be largely dry with sunny spells. It will be a cooler, fresher day with highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees.

Rain will then spread eastwards from the west on Tuesday, while current indications suggest Wednesday and Thursday will be cool and breezy with sunny spells and with scattered showers.