Weather: Met Eireann predicts 30°C weather, 'tropical nights' and some thunderstorms

IRELAND: Ireland is in for some scorching conditions this week with Met Eireann's forecast and forecaster's opinion pointing to highs of 30C and tropical nights for some.

The weather has been intermittently spectacular in recent weeks, but this 'mini-heatwave' looks set to last a bit longer. Thursday Most of Ireland will be dry with sunshine this morning, although there will be some rain in Ulster.

It will generally become cloudier for the afternoon and evening and a few showers will occur, mainly in Ulster, Connacht, and north Leinster.

However, the highest temperatures will remain at 23 degrees Celsius and will be near the south coast where the best sunshine will be available.

Friday morning will be mostly cloudy with scattered light showers, but will brighten up as warm sunshine develops in the afternoon and evening.

Most noteworthy temperatures will reach 24C because it starts to climb towards the end of the week, and will once again be hottest within the south and southeast. It'll be much cooler along north-facing coasts due to a light to direct north to northwest breeze. 

 On Saturday, the morning will be dry with spells of murky daylight, but it'll gotten to be cloudy at times amid the evening and evening with confined showers conceivable. It’ll be exceptionally warm with highs of 25C in a light south to southeast breeze.

Then, on Sunday, it is due to be even nicer with dry and long spells of sunshine and highest temperatures of 27C in a light south to southeast breeze.

As for next week, Irish Meteorologist Paul Downes says: “As the high begins to drift a little to the east on Sunday, temperatures will rise to mid to upper 20s with temperatures possibly surpassing 30 locally on Monday.

“There is a little more uncertainty regarding Tuesday but it does look like it will be another hot day and perhaps as hot if not hotter than Monday.

“While this warmer air moves in our direction there will be the chance of a few thundery bursts, especially on Tuesday.”

“The nighttime temperature will also be very warm and humid with temperatures on Sunday and Monday night not likely to fall below the mid to high teens and in some areas they may not fall below 20°C, which is known as a Tropical night.”