Ireland hot weather maps show how warm your town will be this weekend

Met Eireann has updated its weather forecast for Ireland, revealing that the 'mini-heatwave' the country has been enjoying may last even longer than expected. The stunning weather first developed earlier this week, and Ireland has since enjoyed its warmest day of the year so far and wall-to-wall sunshine.

It now appears there is no end in sight, with the national forecaster telling the Irish Mirror that the glorious conditions will definitely last all the way through to "next week" - and the good news that it could continue "even longer".

Meteorologist Michelle Dillon explained that the country is currently under the influence of a high-pressure system parked just south of Scandinavia. This so-called "Omega block" - a rare and persistent pattern in the jet stream - is effectively locking Ireland into a cycle of dry, sunny weather that is proving hard to shift, with conditions getting better "day on day".

Michelle said "we will see a rise in temperatures as the days continue", adding: "It's all down to high pressure that is centred south of Scandinavia. It's called an Omega block, in the jet stream, those winds high up in the atmosphere. When this pattern of weather gets set up, it's really hard to shift it, and that's why we have this prolonged, settled spell of weather.

"It is going to continue through next week and possibly even longer. It will be a dry and sunny weekend. We have seen highs of up to 19C this week in the west with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Into next week, the temperatures are going to start to rise and build day-on-day. The temperatures will pick up."

According to Met Eireann's official forecast, the country will see highs of 18C this weekend, rising to 19C next week. Its weather maps also pinpoint the areas set to see the warmest temperatures - which will be in the west.

You can check exactly how warm your area will be this weekend on the weather maps below.

Saturday, April 5

Sunday, April 6

With high pressure continuing to dominate the forecast into the second week of April, much of the country is in for an extended early taste of summer. Looking ahead to next week, Met Eireann said: "Monday will be dry with plenty of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 13C to 18C or 19C , coolest for southern and eastern coasts, with mostly light southeast breezes. Monday night will be dry with some mist or fog patches developing. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 5C with light variable breezes.

"On Tuesday, fog will clear through in the morning to give another dry day with plenty of sunshine, turning hazy at times. Highest temperatures of 14C to 19C with light southeast or variable breezes. Tuesday night will be cold with clear spells and light easterly breezes. Lowest temperatures of 2C to 6C.

"Wednesday will continue dry with bright or sunny spells. There'll be a bit more cloud over the eastern half of the country with moderate easterly winds and temperatures reaching 9C to 13C . It will be warmer further west with highest temperatures of 14C to 18C.

"Thursday and Friday will continue dry with temperatures reaching the mid to high teens."

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