Kilkenny to be hotter than Costa del Sol as sunny weather set for extended stay

The famous Costa Del Sol in Spain won't be as hot as Kilkenny this week as temperatures set to rise around the country as an extended spell of summer weather seems to be settling for an extended stay.

With a high cell taking hold, Met Éireann is forecasting temperatures will rise to 22 degrees by the weekend. 

By contrast, temperatures on the Costa Del Sol are only set to reach as high as 21 degrees on Saturday. 

The weather in Ireland will stay generally dry and settled through the rest of the week with good sunny spells and above average temperatures.

The forecaster's farming section says high pressure will dominate the weather for much of the next 7 days, leading to little or no rainfall for much of the country.

It says the dry and settled conditions with decreasing cloud through the next week will lead to above-average air temperatures countrywide.

Sunshine levels will most likely be average or above average in the east and south, with totals a little below average in the north and west.

MORE BELOW TWEET.

Mostly dry weather with sunny spells for the week ahead ️☀️

Though, the N & W will be cloudier at times with the odd patch of rain ☁️️

It’ll turn warmer too with temperatures reaching the high teens or low 20s later in the week

More detail here https://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/qAWUbKpPp1

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) May 22, 2023

National Forecast issued by Met Éireann at 3.24pm on May 23.

Wednesday: Generally with sunny spells. A little cloudier in the north and northwest with a chance of some light rain or drizzle pushing in during the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures will generally range from 15 to 20 degrees, warmest in the south, in light northwesterly breezes.

Generally dry with clear spells on Wednesday night. Just a slight chance of some light rain or drizzle lingering in the northwest early on. Lowest temperatures generally ranging from 6 to 10 degrees, coolest in Ulster, in light north to northwest breezes.

Thursday: be dry with good spells of sunshine. Just a slight chance of showers pushing in to western areas at times. Highest temperatures will generally range from 16 to 21 degrees, warmest in Munster, in light northerly breezes.

Dry and generally clear on Thursday night. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in light north to northeast breezes.

Friday: Dry and sunny on Friday with maximum temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees in very light and variable breezes.

Dry and generally clear on Friday night with a chance of some mist and fog patches developing towards morning. Minimum temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees in very light and variable breezes.

WEEKEND: Staying generally dry and sunny on Saturday. Just a slight chance of showers pushing in to Connacht and Ulster at times. Highest temperatures of around 18 to 22 degrees in light northwesterly or variable breezes.

Staying mostly dry with good spells of sunshine on Sunday. Just a slight chance of showers occasionally pushing in to Atlantic coastal regions. Highest temperatures of around 17 to 22 degrees in light north to northwest breezes.

Further outlook: Early indications are that high pressure will continue to dominate for the early days of next week, keeping conditions generally dry and settled.