'Heavy and thundery downpours' on the way as Ireland basks in hottest day of the year

As the whole country soaks up the sun on Saturday for what is the hottest day of the year so far, it looks like this could be the last of the almost tropical weather for now.

With temperatures reaching up to 31 degrees in some parts of Ireland today, weather expert Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather has warned that thunderstorms could be on the horizon this weekend.

In a post on social media, the weatherman shared: "Rain will return Sunday with showers kicking off in Southwest and West by afternoon and risk of some thunderstorms. That risk increases in Northwest Sunday night and turning much cooler by Monday."

Rain will return Sunday with showers kicking off in Southwest and West by afternoon and risk of some thunderstorms. That risk increases in Northwest Sunday night and turning much cooler by Monday. pic.twitter.com/r8Yk7KEN2x

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) July 12, 2025

Indeed, Met Éireann have also warned that Sunday could see the end of the dry spell as thunderstorms are forecast for the evening. According to Met Éireann, this is the start of the more unsettled and cooler weather on the way this week.

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Here is how the weather is shaping up over the next few days according to Met Éireann.

Sunday will be largely dry with long spells of sunshine and some light winds. Cloud will build from the west and push showers across Munster in the morning. These showers will eventually extend into Connacht and western parts of Leinster in the afternoon and evening. Some heavy and thundery downpours are also likely. It'll be another hot day with highest temperatures of 22 to 29 degrees.

There will be some showery outbreaks of rain on Sunday night which may turn heavy or thundery in parts. It will be a milder night with lowest temperatures of 12 to 17 degrees.

Monday will be more cloudy and unsettled with a band of rain clearing northern parts of the country in the morning. There will be some sunny spells and scattered showers to follow, some of which could turn heavy. It'll be a cooler day with highest temperatures of 16 to 22 degrees.

Tuesday will be another unsettled day with a mix of scattered showers, longer spells of rain, blustery winds and sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees.

So far, the rest of the week looks like temperatures might recover a little into the high teens or low 20s but conditions remain changeable.