Ireland is set for a major warm spell, with temperatures expected to top 20C this weekend and potentially climb above 30C next week.
30/05/21 – Enjoying the good weather at the Seapoint, Co Dublin(Image: Collins)
Just when it started to feel like summer might never arrive, Ireland’s weather is about to take a dramatic turn – and some parts of the country could soon be hotter than parts of Spain.
New weather maps are showing temperatures rising steadily over the coming days, with some parts of the country now potentially on course to hit a scorching 30C or even 31C by the middle of next week.
And according to Met Eireann, 12 counties are set to lead the way tomorrow as warmer conditions begin to take hold across the country.
The national forecaster says Saturday will be “a dry day with spells of hazy sunshine for most” after any early mist and fog clears. Temperatures are forecast to reach between 17C and 23C, with the warmest weather expected across Leinster.
That means Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow are all expected to see the hottest conditions on Saturday as the warm spell begins to build.
Sunday is expected to turn even warmer again – but it is next week where the latest weather models begin to look especially eye catching.
Current forecasts suggest temperatures could rise to around 23C on Monday before climbing as high as 28C or 29C in parts of the country by Tuesday.
By Wednesday, several weather models are indicating temperatures could potentially surge to 31C in some areas – which would break Ireland’s current May temperature record of 28.4C set in Kerry in 1997.
Weather maps show temperatures hitting 31C in parts of the south west on Wednesday afternoon(Image: meteologix.com)
Thursday is also expected to remain exceptionally warm, with temperatures still potentially close to 30C before cooler Atlantic air begins to move back in towards the end of the week.
While long range forecasts can still change significantly, confidence is continuing to build that Ireland could be about to experience its warmest spell of 2026 so far.
Met Eireann said: “Temperatures will continue to trend upwards with warm or very warm conditions this weekend. High pressure will bring mostly dry and settled weather too. Sea fog may impinge in some areas however.
“High pressure will dominate Ireland’s weather throughout much of next week, bringing largely dry and settled weather but there is the potential for more changeable conditions by the weekend.
“Mean air temperatures will trend above average, with the warmest conditions early in the week. Rainfall totals will be below normal across the country. However, there is the chance of some sharp showers developing later in the week which may bring localised higher totals.”
Whether Ireland officially experiences a heatwave remains to be seen. Met Eireann defines a heatwave as five consecutive days with temperatures above 25C.
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