Ireland is set for a welcome spell of warm and settled weather this week, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 19°C by Friday.

Monday will be mainly dry with good sunny spells, though it will start off cool and crisp for many.

Afternoon temperatures will range from 12 to 17 degrees, mildest in the southwest, with light to moderate easterly breezes.

The settled theme continues into Tuesday and Wednesday, though it will be breezy with fresh easterly winds keeping things a touch cooler, with highs of 10 to 14 degrees.

The real swing kicks in from Thursday with a dry and sunny day for most, with temperatures ranging from 11 degrees in the east to 15 or 16 degrees in the west as easterly winds begin to ease.

Friday is shaping up to be the standout day of the week. Met Éireann is forecasting another dry and sunny day with highs of 15 to 19 degrees in mostly light southeasterly breezes.

And the good news doesn’t stop there. The national forecaster says it will remain mostly dry and settled for the weekend with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high teens.

The warm spell comes as high pressure stays close by for the week ahead, delivering plenty of dry and bright weather across the country.

It’s a far cry from the unsettled conditions seen in recent weeks and will be a welcome boost for anyone planning outdoor activities over the coming days. So dust off the barbecue and make the most of it while it lasts.