Met Éireann is forecasting warm days all the way to Thursday with cloudy and sunny spells. Isolated showers are expected in the northwest later on Monday, and again from the west on Wednesday afternoon and evening. More thundery showers are forecast for Thursday.

Top temperatures of 22°C to 25°C will rise to highs of 26°C mid-week, with Met Éireann officially using the term "heatwave" by now (five consecutive days with temperatures 5°C above average). It will be warmest inland, and cooler along coasts.

Temperatures will remain well into the 20s on Friday and Saturday but are expected to drop back on Sunday.

Farming forecast

Rainfall is uneven these days, with overall values well below average but localised downpours bringing them above average. This is expected to continue all week.

Temperatures will remain above average, with recent values between 2.5°C and 6°C higher than usual in air and 3.5°C to 6.6°C in soils. North and east Connacht are warmest compared to normal.

Sunshine values will remain high, but cloud and mist will be present too.

Mostly dry weather and light winds mean spraying conditions are good except in showery weather. Met Éireann issued a blight warning on Friday and warns of continuing risk where showers occur, especially in the south later this week.

Soil moisture deficits are between around 10mm and 50mm, driest in the east and southeast, with hard ground in parts there. In northern parts, soil moisture deficits are around 10mm or 30mm. Met Éireann reports good trafficability in all areas and forecasts this to remain very good this week.

Read more

Grass growth, first-cut silage and heat stress in Newford Farm

Tillage management: high temperatures drive crop growth