Irish weather forecaster Alan O'Reilly has said the current spell of warm and settled weather could continue through to the June Bank Holiday weekend, as high pressure builds over Ireland following a notably cold and wet spring.
Fresh forecasts from Met Éireann suggest the country could soon experience its warmest conditions of 2026 so far, with temperatures expected to rise steadily over the coming days before potentially reaching highs of 26C next week.
After weeks of grey skies, heavy rain and below-average temperatures, conditions are now forecast to improve significantly as a strong area of high pressure settles close to Ireland. High pressure during the summer months is typically associated with warmer, sunnier and drier weather, bringing a major change from the unsettled Atlantic systems that have dominated much of the spring season.
According to Met Éireann, temperatures will begin climbing from Thursday, with highs of around 19C expected in many areas before increasing further to around 20C across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Forecasters say the most significant change is likely to arrive next week, when temperatures could climb into the mid-twenties alongside lengthy sunny spells. However, some showers and occasional rain remain possible.
The improving outlook has raised hopes that Ireland may finally experience its first prolonged hot spell of the year. While some countries use a broader definition of a heatwave, Met Éireann defines it as five consecutive days with temperatures above 25C.
Long-range forecasts also suggest the settled conditions may continue into June, with warmer-than-average temperatures and below-average rainfall expected nationwide over the coming weeks.
After an unusually chilly spring, the prospect of sustained sunshine and temperatures reaching the mid-twenties is likely to be welcomed across the country as many hope for an early start to summer.
