It's going to get a bit hotter this week.  The weather is due to improve towards the ends of this week and stay warm for the weekend. According to Met Eireann, temperatures are going to rise towards the end of the week, but there's still a chance of rain. Thursday will remain mostly cloudy with patches of rain, drizzle and fog. The east and south will see some warm sunny spells breaking through with winds developing. Temperatures are likely to be as high as 22 or 23 degrees. Then on Friday, it will be a mild, humid day with some warm sunny spells. More patches of drizzle and fog will occur and later outbreaks of rain will move into western areas. Friday night will see very mild and humid conditions with chances of rain and fog, with temperatures not falling below 15 degrees. For the weekend then, Saturday will begin quite warm but will also be windy. There will be a mixture of cloud, patches of fog and sunny spells but some scattered heavy showers also. Maximum temperatures generally around 20 degrees but will rise to 23 or 24 degrees in sun spells. Saturday night will remain windy and humid with outbreaks of rain. Sunday will see a fresher, less humid day with sunny spells but scattered heavy showers are likely in some areas. Highest temperatures in the mid to high teens.