There is “no strong signal” Ireland’s unseasonably cold summer is set to heat up anytime soon, according to Met Éireann’s Joanna Donnelly.

While parts of the country will see the years hottest temperatures today, the heat will likely only last a few hours before cooler temperatures and patchy rain this afternoon.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, meteorologist Joanna Donnelly said anyone looking to catch some rays today would want to get moving early.

“Today it is really just Leinster and Munster and it is the start of the day because there’s rain to the west and north at the moment,” she said.

“Temperatures, generally, around the country are going to be between 15C and 19C and that cooler, fresher weather with patchy rain is actually on its way southwards to all areas.

“So, we’ve got a lovely start this morning in Leinster and Munster and temperatures are already 18C in the Phoenix Park – but they’re going to be replaced by that cooler weather certainly in the next few hours.”

Cold summer

Ms Donnelly said this summer “really has” been a particularly cold start to the summer.

“In the past, we always talked about the Leaving Cert weather,” she said. “Those lovely sunny conditions we always felt when it was a time to do exams.

“That is the Azores high which usually gets to creep up over the country at this time of year but this year, that has really been held at bay by quite an active Atlantic and it is quite cool.

“We’ve been staying on the north side of the polar front, which is of course the dividing line between the warm air to the south - and it is certainly really warm in the south at the moment - and the north, but the cooler air to the north is winning out at the moment and it is pushing down over the country.”

Asked whether any change was on the way, she said: “At the moment, there’s no strong signal for any real heat coming our way.”

Recovery

Ms Donnelly said things will get cooler and cloudier on Saturday before recovering slightly next week.

“Saturday is looking rather cloudy and dull across the south and east but it will brighten up,” she said.

“The sun is nearly at its highest now - I think the summer solstice is on Monday [Sic Tuesday] - so the height of the sun in the sky directly affects the direct radiation and that means it’s going to feel warm if you get some sunshine but the air temperatures, that’s a different matter. It’ll be cooler.

“So, tomorrow, Saturday, only about 13C to 16C and there’s going to be a moderate northerly wind with that.”

She said things will be “a bit better” on Sunday.

“We have a slight rise on Sunday, temperatures are inching up on Sunday and then they are recovering on Monday. So up to 21C on Monday.”