The weekend just gone was a glorious reminder of just how different a place Ireland is when we get a bit of sunshine.

Yesterday, lots of parts of the country basked in low-to-mid 20 degree sunshine, and there are probably quite a few of us sporting patchy sunburnt faces and farmer tans this morning. So was the weekend our annual 24-hour Irish summer? Well, according to Met Eireann, the good spell of weather isn't over yet, and indeed tomorrow (that'd be Tuesday) could end up being the hottest day of the year. https://twitter.com/Jenniesapetal/status/754761105239670784 The official Met forecast for today is "warm, sunny and dry for most areas with highest temperatures of 21 to 26 degrees, warmest in the midlands." However, if you live on along the south and east coasts, it could be dull and cloudy, with the added pain of sea fog drifting inland. The weather folk add that "there is a slight risk of the odd shower in north Leinster and Ulster later in the day. Winds will be mainly light southerly or variable." https://twitter.com/travelorlabout/status/754794691187601408 However, the forecast for most of the country tomorrow is a lot happier.

"Sunny and very warm for much of the country (it will be the warmest day of this recent warm spell), with highest temperatures reaching 24 to 27 degrees for midland and western areas; it will be cooler along the coasts where it will be duller with lingering sea fog and highs of 20 to 23 degrees. Cloud will increase during the day but most areas will stay dry. In northwestern areas however a few showers will develop in the evening, some possibly heavy or thundery. Winds will be light easterly or southeasterly, turning westerly in Atlantic coastal counties by evening."

Sure, that glorious news includes a caveat about potential rain and showers in the evening, but honestly, how many of us made it past that "24 to 27 degrees" part? As for the rest of the week, the weather is predicted to be "changeable", but hopefully we'll get some good drying conditions for the most of it.