Met Éireann says Ireland will be in a state of 'absolute drought' by this evening. 'Absolute drought' is defined by 15 consecutive days where rainfall is less than 0.1mm at rainfall measuring stations.

As a result local authorities are warning that water restrictions could soon be put in place with some councils already banning the use of hose-pipes.

Met Éireann says temperatures are expected to remain in the high-20s into next week.

It has forecast that Saturday will be very mild and close with highest temperatures of 25 to 29 degrees and light easterly breezes. Sunday will be dry in Leinster and Ulster with sunny spells.

However it says that heavy or thundery showers are likely in parts of Munster and Connacht from around noon onwards. These showers will move into west Ulster on Sunday night.

These people at Seapoint in Co. Dublin make the best of the warm weather

Temperatures will be down slightly on previous days and will range from 21 to 27 degrees with light easterly breezes. It will be coolest in the east.

The weather will continue to be very warm or hot through next week. But again there will be a risk of heavy thundery showers at times in many areas.

Daytime temperatures will reach between 25 and 29 degrees and possibly reaching 30 degrees in parts of the midlands at times.

The nights will also be very mild and close with lowest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees.

Forecaster Gerry Murphy explains - and is advising people to make sure they are protected from sunburn.