TEMPERATURES HAVE REACHED a record high for this year for the second day in row, with the Phoenix Park in Dublin reaching a scorching 27.4 degrees this afternoon.

This is up 1.5 degrees from the previous record set at Shannon Airport yesterday, following a weekend of sunshine and hot spells across most of the country.

The good weather is set to last a few more days, according to Met Éireann, which has predicted dry weather for most of the week ahead.

While the meteorological service forecasted bouts of sunshine for most of the country today, it also warned of clouds bringing light showers to the northwest in the evening.

Tomorrow is expected to get off to a cloudy start, with patchy rain gradually clearing eastwards into the Irish Sea.

Brighter conditions with just isolated showers are set to extend from the west during the afternoon and evening, with the mercury set to sit between 19 and 23 degrees.

On Wednesday, there will be a few showers in Connacht and Ulster along with sunny spells, while Leinster and Munster can expect long bouts of sunshine. Top temperatures will range from 17 to 23 degrees, warmest in the southeast.

Temperatures are forecast to dip slightly on Thursday, straddling a maximum of 17 to 21 degrees. Patchy rain is expected to affect parts of the west and north on Thursday night, following a day of cloud and sunny spells.

Met Éireann is predicting a good deal of cloud on Friday, with more light showers in parts of the west and north.

Top temperatures are set to range from 19 to 24 degrees, with the best chance of sunshine in the east and south.

Current indications suggest next weekend will bring plenty of warm weather for most of the country. However, the west and northwest may face further showers.

The next seven nights are expected to be relatively cool, with temperatures set to vary from 9 to 14 degrees.