28 degrees, you say?

Glancing out the window earlier on, you may have noticed some bursts of punishing torrential rain. Certainly doesn't feel like summer. And when you compare and contrast with this time last year, it does feel like we've been shortchanged on the good weather front. Then again, this is Ireland so you take what you can get. In that spirit; rejoice - your patience is about to pay off. Met Éireann is forecasting a decent, mostly dry week ahead - though brace yourself for some good old-fashioned humidity - culminating in sizzling temperatures by the time the weekend arrives. Friday is the pick of the bunch, with a maximum of 24 to 28 degrees widely forecast. As for the day-by-day breakdown, read on...

Monday

Met Éireann outlines some isolated thunderstorms on Monday night, easing off to leave most areas dry. Minimum temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees.

Tuesday

Misty and foggy conditions will gradually lift, resulting in spells of hazy sunshine and further isolated thunderstorms, mostly likely in Munster and south Leinster. Highest temperatures of 20 to 23 degrees on the horizon, but cooler overnight with 10 to 14 degrees on average.

Wednesday

Mostly dry with sunny spells, maximum temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees this time. Largely dry overnight with the odd shower in the south, lows of 10 to 15 degrees.

Thursday

Mainly dry with slight risk of our old buddy; the isolated thunderstorm. Met Éireann notes that things will be very warm and humid - maximum temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees - during both day and night.

Friday

And there's your "exceptionally warm" payoff of 24 to 28 degrees. Get in.

Saturday and Sunday

Generally staying very warm but watch out for some thundery rain. Can't have it all, I guess.