Some good news looking ahead in terms of the weather and that is that a pattern change is likely to occur early next week across Ireland and the UK to more settled weather come midweek and over next weekend. At present Ireland is stuck under low pressure which is bring rather settled conditions across Ireland.

Over the last week Ireland has been hit with some rather lively thunderstorms with some areas seen very heavy downpours and flooding with other missing out this was due to how localised these thunderstorms can be.

Before we look at next week let look at the weather forecast for the rest of this week and over this weekend. Today again there has been rather heavy showers epically across Munster, Leinster and mid & east Ulster where thunderstorms have giving spot flooding and hail in places with a funnel cloud also spotted and photographed by a number of people across county Laois.

Fanad Head Lighthouse under the hot sunshine 📸 @kennethmcdonaghphotography #ireland #donegal #weather #landscapephotography #lighthouse #bestofireland #drone #dronephotography #dronestagram #droneoftheday #mavic2pro #photography #photo #djiglobal #mavic #aerial #bestofireland #irishfry #discoverireland

ROAD SURFACE TEMPERATURES RISE TO 55C AS TAR BOILS ON IRISH ROADS With temperatures now rising into the low 30s across Ireland for a 3rd day in a row its not only the public who is feeling the heat with very hot road surface temperatures also been recorded with a temperatures of 55C on N56 Gweedore road in west Donegal. Road temperatures are above 39C across the whole country. Hot weather means hot roads and softer road surfaces. We are reminding road users to be careful of surfaces becoming slick and dangerous, particularly on minor roads. Please exercise caution when braking. #ireland #donegal #sun #sunshine #weather #donegalweatherchannel #warm #temperatures #heatwave #meteorology

Which type of weather to you Prefer

👍-Cold
&hearts; - Hot

Which type of weather to you Prefer 👍-Cold ♥ - Hot

Sunset from Costa Del Donegal Gaoth Dobhair 💚🤍. 📸 @michaeladonegan_ . .#Repost @michaeladonegan_ #gweedore #gaothdobhair #gaeltacht #sunset #cloudscape #palmtrees #sunsetphotography #wildatlanticway #donegal #waw #donegalpage #wanderireland #discoveringireland #donegalhasitall #discoverdonegal #bestirelandpics #irishpassion #loveireland #visitdonegal #instaireland #ireland_gram #wawpics #eire #vscoireland #photooftheday #ireland #female_igers_ireland_

On Thursday an area of low pressure will move move across Ireland clearing to the east on Friday. Very strong winds will effect the southern half of Ireland on Thursday especially across Munster and south Leinster where gusts of up to 110km/hr will be possible especially along coastal areas where there will be a risk of coastal flooding.

Saturday will see isolated showers across Ireland but some bright and sunny spells also at times.

Another band of rainfall is set to spread across Ireland on Sunday with some heavy falls in places. Rain clearing to the northeast later in the afternoon with bright and sunny spells following behind, some showers also in places.

Low pressure will then break down on Monday and Tuesday which will see some showers on both days but some good sunshine also. From next Wednesday high pressure over the Atlantic will drift eastwards towards Ireland building and strengthening into next weekend with dry weather nationwide. Towards the end of next week and over next weekend temperatures also look as they will climb into the high teens and possibly into the low 20s also on parts. Overall the weather from Wednesday next week is looking rather pleasant to finish the month of May.

**High pressure across Ireland later next week- GFS MODEL**

**High pressure across Ireland later next week - ECMWF MODEL**

As we head for the first week of June and the first meteorological week of summer 2021 there are strong signals from both the European and American forecast models that the first week of June will start of with high pressure in place meaning nice dry and sunny weather with temperatures also possibly in the high teens to low 20s.

**Higher pressure than normal over the first week of June**

The above image is from the ECMWF weather model (European forecast model) showing high pressure siting over mainland Europe, western Europe, Scandinavia and ridging all the way out into the Atlantic. This would mean less of a westerly influence with more of a chance of some good heat, sunshine and dry weather. The 2nd week of June also shows high pressure staying in places across Ireland and much of Europe which could open the door to something much warmer.

The GFS model ( American forecast model) also shows the first week of June starting of dry with good sunshine across Ireland with temperatures in the low 20s for places. This has been the outlook on the GFS for the past number of day and with both models showing much the same its a good sign.