IRELAND IS set to be hit with the effects of a storm this week-- but in an unusual way.
The country has been battered by multiple high-profile storms in recent months, with most bringing gale-force winds, flash floods and torrential rain.
This week, however, a storm brewing near the Azores Islands is having the opposite effect in Ireland, as continued high pressure brings sunshine and warm temperatures nationwide.
Ireland's national meteorological service, Met Eireann, has forecast temperatures of up to 20 degrees lasting close to a full week, as the country baked under sunshine yesterday-- Earth Day-- and the good weather is set to continue well into next week.
Explaining on Twitter, a spokesperson for Met Eireann wrote that Storm Lola, named by the Portugese Met Service, is giving "strong winds" over the Azores Islands, but in Ireland, high pressure is blocking the advance of Atlantic low pressure for several days.
And rather than warning of winds and floods, the meteorological service is instead warning the public to "take care in the sun".
Temperatures today will reach up to 18 degrees, with the west of the country experiencing highest temperatures, and this is set to continue over the weekend, with some parts of Ireland set to bake under temperatures up to a roasting 20 degrees.
Sunday and Monday will still be pleasant and mild, with sunshine and 18 degree temperatures in parts of the country, particularly inland, and while Tuesday will be cloudier with the potential for outbreaks of rain in some parts, it will remain mild, particularly in south Munster.
From Wednesday, Met Eireann predicts the dry weather will return with a mix of cloud and sunshine, again coolest in the east and mildest in the west.
Last spring, Ireland enjoyed an unusually bright and warm few weeks as the public settled in for the first lockdown, and it seems this weather could be returning once more-- perfect for those with gardens and balconies and those who live near the beach.
