Ireland set for bizarre heat blast with temperatures to reach low 20s this week

Ireland looks set to bask in temperatures in the low 20s again in the coming days as an unseasonable plume of warm air makes its way to us from Europe.

The heat blast may be short-lived but it should make for a pleasant couple of days later this week, possibly into the weekend. 

The update come from Met Éireann who said in their forecast for late this week: "Current indications for Saturday suggest a rather warm day with maximum temperatures in the high teens or low 20s."

However, there will be "patchy rain in the west and north but mainly dry with sunny spells elsewhere. Transitioning to cooler conditions on Sunday with rain tracking eastwards over the country followed by showers."

Weather Alerts Ireland added: "Temperatures on this evening's European model is showing temperatures up to the mid twenties and sunny as very warm air is expected to push up from the South.

"It does look as though it would be short lived," they added and warned that there's "plenty of time until then so subject to change."

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather also foresees some sunshine on the horizon. He said: "BBQ Saturday looks to be on! GFS weather model has fallen in line with other models showing warm air moving up over Ireland Friday and Saturday and at present Saturday looking good and dry but risk of rain Sunday and warm air could quickly retreat but uncertain beyond Sunday."

Between now and then, Ireland will endure wetter than average weather again with some widespread showers and heavy downpours at times.

Met Éireann's forecast for the week says: "The coming week will be wetter than average in parts of the west and northwest but drier than average elsewhere. Temperatures around average for the start of October through to Thursday but becoming rather mild for the time of year towards the end of the week.

"Today [Monday] will be mainly dry in many areas with some bright or sunny intervals. It will be cloudy in the southeast with outbreaks of rain or drizzle. Some scattered showers also, mainly in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees with light to moderate southwest breezes.

"Tuesday will be a fresh, breezy day with sunny spells and scattered showers, which will become more isolated through the evening. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees with moderate to fresh westerly winds, coolest in the northwest and mildest in the southeast.

"Mostly cloudy on Wednesday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, heaviest and most persistent in the west and north. The best of the drier and brighter intervals will be in the south and southeast. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees, coolest in the north in moderate to fresh, and at times gusty, southwesterly winds easing later in the day.

"Mostly cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle retreating to the west and north on Wednesday night. Light to moderate south to southwest winds, fresher along Atlantic coasts. Lows of 10 to 13 degrees.

"Mostly cloudy on Thursday with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Becoming breezy in the afternoon as southerly winds increase moderate to fresh and gusty. Highest temperatures of 14 to 16 degrees. Continuing damp and breezy on Thursday night, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle retreating to the west and north. Lows of 11 to 14 degrees moderate southerly breezes fresh and gusty near coasts.

"Mild, damp and mostly cloudy to begin on Friday with patchy rain and drizzle. Brightening up through the day with sunny spells developing in most parts by evening. Breezy with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds and highs of 17 to 19 degrees."