Ireland weather: Met Eireann pinpoints when temperatures will rise amid dry and sunny conditions

After a couple of weeks of showers and widespread rain, Met Eireann has confirmed when things may see some improvement.

This week, temperatures have cooled off slightly but they will inch their way back up to above average for this time of year very soon.

In their overview for this week, Met Eireann have said: "Mixed conditions this weekend. Generally improving next week but with the chance of showers."

Looking ahead to next week, they added: "Temperatures looks set to recover to average or slightly above towards midweek as winds back around to the southwest. Showers remain possible with the best of drier and sunnier conditions in the south and east."

In their long range forecast, the national forecaster has predicted that next week is "showing a slight signal for high pressure building which indicates more settled weather. Temperatures are indicating to be above average for this time of year. Precipitation is likely to be below average especially in parts of the southwest and west of Ireland."

Before then, here's everything you need to know about the weather forecast for the rest of this week.

Today (Thursday 3rd July)

Mainly dry and bright to begin in the south today, Thursday, with sunny spells, but cloudier conditions further north with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Sunny spells and scattered showers will develop this afternoon, some heavy with the chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the north. Patchy rain and drizzle will return to northwest and north this evening. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees in mostly moderate west to southwest winds, fresher in the northwest and west.

Mostly cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle in the northwest and north for a time early tonight, otherwise largely dry with variable cloud and clear spells. Cloud will gradually thicken from the northwest overnight. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 14 degrees with light to moderate southwest winds, increasing fresh to strong near Atlantic coasts.

Tomorrow (Friday 4th July)

Breezy or windy tomorrow, Friday. Some brighter intervals for a time in the east and south at first, but mostly cloudy overall, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle extending from the northwest through the day. Highest temperatures of 14 to 19 degrees in moderate to fresh, occasionally strong, and gusty, southwesterly winds.

Cloudy on Friday night with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle along with some hill and coastal mist and fog. Breezy for a time, but the southwesterly winds will gradually moderate. Mild and humid with lowest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees.

Saturday 5th July

Mostly cloudy on Saturday with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle. While a few bright spells will develop, it'll stay rather cloudy overall. Highest temperatures of 16 to 22 degrees, warmest in the south and east, where it will feel quite mild and humid, in mostly moderate, occasionally fresh and gusty west to southwest winds. A few clear spells, but generally cloudy on Saturday night, with scattered showers, heaviest and most frequent in the west and north. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees in moderate westerly winds, fresh near Atlantic coasts.

Sunday 6th July

Cloudy to begin on Sunday, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Brightening up through the afternoon and for the evening with sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 14 to 19 degrees in moderate, occasionally fresh and gusty, westerly winds, veering northwesterly.