The hottest weekend of the year is only a matter of days away

Get the swimmers out.

The hottest days of the year so far are only around the corner as Met Eireann are predicting that temperatures could reach the low 20s. If this happens, it will beat May 15th's temperature of 20.9C. Met Eireann says high pressure is due to build over the country towards the weekend and will bring mostly dry, bright and mild conditions. Ahead of this weekend, they said: "Current indications suggest that high pressure will build up over the country bringing largely dry conditions with just some showers breaking out. “Turning milder as well with highest temperatures widely getting into the high teens, possibly reaching the low twenties.” Doing a complete 180 from the weather we've seen so far this week with the unsettled conditions we've been seeing, with heavy rain over the last few days. While it is sticking around for another few days the weather is set completely change as the forecaster adds: "Generally unsettled through midweek with rain or showers most days though with dry spells too. Becoming more settled towards the weekend with drier and milder conditions developing.” Today is set to see "scattered showers with spells of sunshine and just the odd heavy burst" with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing on Atlantic coastal counties this evening. Wednesday is expected to see something similar with Met Eireann saying: "Generally cloudy and breezy to start the day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, clearing eastwards during the morning. Sunny spells and scattered light showers will follow with fresh and gusty westerly winds easing. Highest temperatures ranging from 13C in the northwest to 17C in the southeast.” For the rest of the week up until the weekend, it is meant to be a rainy one, with the heaviest downfalls over the northern half of the country. The rain is due to clear on Thursday afternoon, with Friday seeing the best of the sunshine in the north and east of the country with dry conditions and highest temperatures of 16C to 19C.