Weekend of fun in the sun in store as temperatures to soar to 20C

Met Éireann has advised people to have their sunscreen at the ready with temperatures set to reach up to 19 degrees in the south today, tipping 20 degrees in places tomorrow.

Marking today as National Sunscreen Day, weather experts warned that the UV index is set to be high this weekend and advised people to cover up, use sunscreen and avoid sunburn.

Much of the country is already enjoying the sunshine this afternoon, with sunny spells in most areas, a little cloudier in the north.

Temperatures this afternoon are to range from 14 to 19 degrees in a light northerly breeze. Tonight will remain dry and clear with temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.

Saturday will be dry and sunny with temperatures ranging from 14 to 20 degrees, warmest in the south, in light to moderate northerly winds.

Saturday night will remain dry and clear with lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

The current outlook is for Sunday to remain dry and sunny with the chance of light showers in the north and east, and temperatures ranging from 14 to 19 degrees.

However the warm spell looks set to be short lived. Monday is forecast to be cloudier and cooler, with scattered showers in temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees.

Current indications are that temperatures will return to average for the time of year through the middle of the week, with further showers.