Weather in Ireland to become 'fresher' this week despite heatwave across mainland Europe

An Irish weather expert has dismissed chances of there being a heatwave in Ireland this week, as the school holidays get underway.

Temperatures are soaring at present across parts of mainland Europe with the mercury hitting record highs for June.

"Europe is baking with a particularly intense heatwave. Temperatures over the last couple of days reached up to 46 degrees celsius in some parts of the Iberian Peninsula," explained Cathal Nolan of Ireland's Weather Channel who added that conditions here will be much different over the coming week.  

"Temperatures this week are expected to become fresher as the week goes on," he said.

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According to Cathal Nolan outbreaks of rain - sometimes heavy and persistent - can be expected in parts of the west and northwest of the country while it will be mostly dry and cloudy elsewhere.

There will be a fresher feel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures ranging from 17 to 20 degrees.

There is a risk of heavy showers in places on Wednesday and, as of now, the indications are that it will remain unsettles towards the end of the week and into the weekend.

Meanwhile, in its latest weather forecast, Met Éireann says there will be some brighter intervals this Monday morning, mainly in the east but overall mostly cloudy, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle extending eastwards.

The rain will be heaviest and most persistent in the west and north.

"It will become drier and brighter in the west and northwest in the evening. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in the west and northwest, 19 to 23 degrees elsewhere with light to moderate southerly winds, gradually veering northwesterly and freshening for a time near southwestern coasts," states the Met Éireann forecast.

"Becoming largely dry tonight (Monday) with isolated showers and with some fog patches developing as the last of the rain clears the east early tonight but may linger for longer in the southeast. The best of the clear spells will be in the north and west. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees generally, milder in the southeast, with light, occasionally moderate northerly breezes.

TUESDAY

"A mix of cloud and sunny spells in the morning as well scattered showers develop by the afternoon, some of which may turn heavy, especially in the south. Better sunny spells will develop in the evening. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees, warmest in the south, in light, occasionally moderate, north or northwest breezes.

WEDNESDAY

Spells of sunshine with scattered showers, some of which may be heavy in the west and midlands during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 or 20 degrees in light to moderate westerly breezes.WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Mostly dry with clear skies and with just isolated showers. More frequent showers will move into Atlantic coasts towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in mostly light west to southwesterly breezes.

THURSDAY

Sunny spells and scattered showers, some heavy especially in the north. The showers will become more isolated in the evening. Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees generally in mostly moderate west or southwest winds, fresher and cooler for Atlantic areas.

FRIDAY

Mostly cloudy and turning breezy with outbreaks of rain pushing in from the west. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.