Met Éireann mini heatwave update with temps to top 26C - but there's a catch

Met Éireann predicts Ireland's mini heatwave to last most of this week with temperatures hitting 26C in places.

Despite a foggy start in places on Monday, the weather will pick up with warm sunshine covering most of the country into the afternoon and evening. The rest of this week looks good too but there is a slight catch as we head toward the weekend.

The September sun will bring temperatures to 26C on Monday with Met Éireann describing it as "very warm."

A light breeze will give people some relief but the high temperatures could make for an uncomfortable and clammy night.

"Tonight will be warm and humid with mostly clear skies. Later on, some showers may move into the southwest. Lowest temperatures of 13 to 18 degrees in just light easterly breezes. Some mist and fog may possibly develop across Ulster," a Met Éireann forecaster said.

They reckon Tuesday will be another warm or very warm day.

"While it will be mostly sunny, a few well scattered showers are likely with the focus of these across the southwest and west. Top temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees, warmest away from east and south coasts, in no more than moderate easterly breezes."

Wednesday will not be as sunny with some heavier cloud cover over Ireland but forecasters still think it will be warm with temperatures once again rising to 26C in places.

They say Wednesday night will be "sultry" with temperatures not falling below 15 to 18 degrees as a southerly airflow persists. Some thundery showers will occur, with the east and southeast most at threat.

We could see a slight turn in the weather from Thursday with "scattered heavy or thundery showers with warm or very warm sunshine at times too."

Top temperatures will still be between 20 to 26 degrees, warmest in the east and northeast, in no more than moderate southwesterly breezes.

However, "patchy rain and some mist in parts overnight with lows of 13 to 18 degrees."

Friday will bring a mix of cloud and warm spells of sunshine. A few well scattered showers will occur, mainly confined to southern areas later. Top temperatures will range 19 to 24 degrees, warmest away from western and northwestern areas, as light westerly breezes develop.

Looking beyond Friday and into the weekend, Met Éireann predicts "some scattered outbreaks of rain, but warm or very warm sunny spells too."