Heatwave to follow weekend of dry spells and showers

Temperatures in mid-20s expected next week after weather clears on Sunday

The real warm weather from the south is due to arrive on Wednesday, bringing serious heat for the first time this summer. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times

There may be a heatwave on the way but we will have to wait to break out the sunscreen.

Temperatures over the weekend will be similar to the past week according to Met Éireann, with bright and mostly dry weather that will become cloudy on Saturday afternoon.

Rainfall will spread across the country on Saturday night, including some heavy falls in the south and east. However, it will clear on Sunday morning, bringing slightly fresher temperatures of 16-20 degrees.

Monday will be a hazy day with temperatures of 18-20 degrees. It will get warmer on Tuesday, reaching highs of 22 degrees.

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The real warm weather is due to arrive on Wednesday, bringing temperatures between 20-25 degrees across Ireland, according to the forecaster.

Forecaster Klara Finkele says the warmer weather will rise up from the Bay of Biscay on Wednesday and Thursday.

However, she warns that high levels of humidity will bring a risk of thunderstorms and heavy downpours.

“Weather from the Bay of Biscay tends to be quite unstable, it’s warm and very moisture laden so we’re certainly going to keep an eye on the rain,” said Ms Finkele.

“Warm air holds more humidity and moisture so it can lead to heavy downpours.”

The UK is also set to enjoy next week’s warm weather, with a “Spanish plume of hot air” moving north, bringing temperatures up into the early 30s.

France, Italy and Spain have been experiencing particularly hot weather in recent days, with parts of southern Europe on track to break records for June temperatures, according to the Weather Channel.

How to protect your skin from the sun

The Irish Cancer Society has warned people to take care in the sunshine, particularly the elderly and young children.

Parents are advised to dress babies under six months in loose-fitting clothes with long sleeves and to keep them in the shade as much as possible.

Children should wear hats and sun glasses in the sunshine and use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.

Adults are also advised to spend time in the shade, wear a hat and sunglasses, and to use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast

Simon Bracken

Simon Bracken

Simon Bracken is a journalist at The Irish Times