MET Eireann chiefs warned there’s a big switch on the way with “unsettled” conditions – as we reach the longest day of the year.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather said: “A little red sky before the sun rises on the longest day of the year and a lovely morning for the summer solstice here at Rathgall Hillfort in Tullow.
Temperatures will stay warm before a major switch[/caption]
“A nice day ahead once again with just a small risk of a shower later.
“Enjoy the longest day and remember for some today marks the start of summer.”
Met Eireann’s Ailis Hankinson told how temperatures peaked at 29.6C yesterday but a major change is in store.
She said: “So yesterday was the hottest day of the year with 29.6C recorded at Mount Dillon in County Roscommon.
“But our weather will be cooler and more unsettled for much of the coming week though it’ll still be warm today.
“And with that keep in mind that the UV index will be high or very high this weekend and if you’re in or near water do stay safe.”
There will be mixed conditions on the cards today but temperatures will remain warm.
Ailish continued: “Today some mist and fog this morning near southern and eastern coasts will clear to leave a mostly dry day with a mix of cloud and sunny spells.
“Some scattered showers will develop though mainly in the west turning heavy or thundery at times in the afternoon.
“It’ll be warm with highs of 19C to 25C in light to moderate southwest breezes.”
Tonight will be “mostly dry with clear spells and some scattered showers”, they will be heaviest in the north.
Tomorrow will bring a mix of sunshine and cloud cover.
The forecaster said: “Cloud and outbreaks of rain will build from the west towards morning. “It’ll be mild with lows of 12C to 15C in light to moderate southeast breezes becoming fresh at times along Atlantic coasts.
“Tomorrow Sunday we’ll see cloud and outbreaks of rain clear eastwards through the morning and early afternoon with sunny spells and showers following.
“Further outbreaks of rain will feed into the west and north though in the evening with the south seeing most of the dry and sunny weather.
“Cooler and breezier than recent days with highs of 15 to 19 degrees in a moderate westerly wind.”
Monday will see a “cloudy and breezier” start with some isolated showers.
Ailish said: “Cloud will thicken further during the afternoon especially over the southern half of the country with rain following in the evening. Driest in the north with some evening sunny spells possible.
“Highs of 15C to 19C generally though a little milder in parts of the south and southeast.”
The meteorologist warned there’s some uncertainty for our weather mid week.
She added: “Then I’m afraid it looks like it’ll continue unsettled through the rest of the working week with spells of rain and showers – becoming breezy or rather windy at times too.
“But for today on this summer solstice, warm with a mix of cloud and sunny spells, scattered showers will occur mainly over the western half of the country with highs of 19C to 25C.”
