Temperatures of up to 27C expected today

Met Éireann is forecasting "very warm" temperatures of up to 27C today, with "long spells of sunshine".

It comes as the forecaster reported a temperature reading of 24.9C in the Phoenix Park in Dublin yesterday.

Met Éireann says it is provisionally the highest temperature of the year so far.

For today the forecaster says that mist and fog patches will clear early while some cloud and sea fog is possible in the northwest at times.

Otherwise, it will be dry with long spells of sunshine, and warm or very warm with temperatures reaching 22C to 27C degrees, highest in Munster and Leinster, in a light southerly or variable breeze.

Aside from the warm weather, Met Éireann has said the pollen level will be "moderate" across all provinces.

It said the tree pollen count is at "medium concentrations", but added "moderate to high concentrations" of grass pollen levels are expected.

While weed pollen levels are low and moderate levels are expected for fungal spores, it added.

Met Éireann said temperatures tomorrow are also forecast to reach up to 27C.

"It will be dry and although some cloud will affect the northern half of the country at times, there will be plenty of warm or very warm sunshine overall," it said.

"It will be cooler than this along north-facing coasts," it added.

The forecaster said temperatures will range from 20C to 27C.

However, Met Éireann has warned temperatures "will decrease later in the week, with showers becoming a possibility".