TEMPERATURES soared to the mid 20s almost everywhere in Ireland again yesterday, and the sunshine looks likely to continue through the weekend and into next week.
Only a series of weak Atlantic fronts threatens the sultry weather of the last few days, which yesterday produced temperatures of 24 Celsius in Mullingar and Kilkenny, 25 C in Birr and 26 C in Shannon. Even Dublin, traditionally cooled by sea breezes, registered 23 C.
A full blown heatwave is unlikely, however, and a 27 C high will remain elusive for the moment. Next week, if anything, the trend in temperatures will be downwards.
"We're probably at the top of it now," a Met Eireann spokesman said last night.
"There's an increasing threat of thunder in the first part of the week, which could bring with it a few showers. So the likelihood is that it won't be quite as warm next week, although it should still be good weather."
The AA reported no unusually heavy traffic out of the cities last night, but expects a big exodus early today to traditional coastal resorts such as Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow.
The organisation said summer festivals, like Dublin's Temple Bar Blues Festival which diverted traffic around College Green last night, were the biggest cause of hold ups at this time of year.
Monday, however, sees the start of major improvement work on the Naas dual carriageway between Newlands Cross and Rathcoole, which will continue for two years.
A 40 m.p.h. speed limit will apply on both sides of the carriageway each evening between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
In Cork, there are continuing roadworks on the Model Farm Road and also on the Mallow to Mitchelstown road. North Main Street in Cork is partly closed due to work on sewers, and Emmet Street is closed for filming.
Elsewhere, there are roadworks on the N7 between Portlaoise and Mountrath, and on the N2 south of Carrickmacross and Castleblayney.
