Ireland could be set for its warmest spell of the year so far, with temperatures forecast to surge into the high 20s from this weekend and into next week.

After a largely unsettled and gloomy start to 2026, weather models are now pointing towards a major shift as high pressure begins to build over the country, bringing warmer, drier and more settled conditions.

Weather expert Alan O’Reilly of the popular Carlow Weather social media accounts said some forecasts are even hinting at temperatures above 26C early next week.

Sharing an update online, he said: ‘Latest weather models show very warm air reaching Ireland Monday with over 26C possible.’

He added: ‘The all time record high temperature for May in Ireland is 28.4C from 31st May 1997 in Kerry.’

While there is still some uncertainty over just how warm conditions could become, forecasters say Ireland is on course for a significant rise in temperatures over the coming days.

Met Éireann is currently forecasting highs of around 22C to 23C by Sunday, though the national forecaster has not yet issued detailed projections for next week.

However, it has indicated that high pressure is expected to dominate from Monday onwards, bringing largely dry weather and temperatures above average for the time of year.

The improvement will begin gradually over the coming days, although mixed conditions are expected before the warmer spell fully develops.

Met Éireann said Wednesday would bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, before cloud and patchy rain spread across parts of the south and west later in the day.

‘Variable cloud amounts, sunny spells and just a few light showers today,’ a spokesperson said.

‘Cloud will thicken from the south-west later, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle pushing in towards evening.’

The forecaster said conditions overnight would remain mild, with temperatures staying between 11C and 13C alongside patchy rain, mist and coastal fog.

If current projections hold, next week could bring some of the warmest May weather Ireland has seen in years, with weather watchers closely monitoring whether temperatures could challenge long-standing records.