Who said heatwave? Temperatures set to hit 25C

Grab the sunscreen and air out the swimwear because there’s sunshine headed our way and this time it’s bringing some real heat.

A mini heatwave is set to hit Irish shores next week with Met Éireann predicting temperatures in the mid-twenties.

According to the forecaster, temperatures will hit 25 degrees across the country next Wednesday, bringing warm and very humid weather.

The warm weather will move from the continent to Ireland, bringing sunshine and real heat for the first time this summer.

Forecaster Klara Finkele says temperatures will remain in the late teens and early twenties over the weekend and into early next week before the warmer weather rises up from the Bay of Biscay on Wednesday and Thursday.

However, she warns that high levels of humidity will bring a risk of thunderstorms and heavy downpours.

“Weather from the Bay of Biscay tends to be quite unstable, it’s warm and very moisture laden so we’re certainly going to keep an eye on the rain,” said Ms Finkele. “Warm air holds more humidity and moisture so it can lead to heavy downpours.”

Temperatures over the weekend will be similar to recent days, with bright and mostly dry weather on Saturday that will become cloudy in the afternoon.

Rainfall will spread across the country on Saturday night but will clear on Sunday morning , bringing slightly fresher temperatures of 16-20 degrees.

Monday will be a hazy day with temperatures of 18-20 degrees. The weather will get warmer on Tuesday and temperatures are set to reach 22 degrees.

The real warm weather from the south is due to arrive on Wednesday, bringing temperatures between 20-25 degrees across Ireland.

The United Kingdom is also set to enjoy next week's warm weather, with a "Spanish plume of hot air" moving north, bringing temperatures up into the early 30s . France, Italy and Spain have been experiencing particularly hot weather in recent days, with parts of southern Europe on track to break records for June temperatures, according to the Weather Channel.

How to protect your skin from the sun

The Irish Cancer Society has warned people to take care in the sunshine, particularly the elderly and young children.

Parents are advised to dress babies under six months in loose-fitting clothes with long sleeves and to keep them in the shade as much as possible.

Children should wear hats and sun glasses in the sunshine and use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.

Adults are also advised to spend time in the shade, wear a hat and sunglasses, and to use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.