Temperatures could breach 20C this weekend in Northern Ireland says the Met Office as sunny spell continues
This weekend could see temperatures in parts of Northern Ireland crack the 20C mark, says the Met Office.
That would be the hottest temperature of the year so far.
At time of writing today, the hottest temperature of the day had been 17.5C recorded at 1.47pm, whilst the second-highest was 17.2C, recorded at Derrylin in Co Fermanagh at 1.48pm.
The highest yesterday had been 15.4C in Helen’s Bay, north Down.
But things are set to get sunnier still, with temperatures set to hit 19C tomorrow afternoon, and the day after too, particularly in the north and west of the Province.
Met Office forecaster Liam Eslick told the News Letter: “A 20C reading is possible for Northern Ireland over the weekend, but this would be very local and not widespread at all.”
The monthly average for April in the Province is 12C.
So far the highest temperature has been on April 7, when a reading of 19C was recorded at Armagh.
It is nowhere near the all-time high for month, which was set on April 26, 1984, when a temperature of 24.5C was recorded at Broom Hall, Co Londonderry.
This coming Sunday is expected to be cooler than Saturday, but still sunny.
Beyond that, for the UK at large Mr Eslick told the News Letter: “The settled weather will continue into the weekend and into next week, but temperatures are expected to drop slightly.
"They will stay above average but not as warm as what we are seeing currently.”
Meanwhile the National Trust has said there is an “amber wildfire warning” for tomorrow in the Mournes and Murlough nature reserve area “due to ongoing dry conditions”, with the risk level being “very high”.
"If a fire ignites, it could spread rapidly and become difficult to control,” it said.
"Please stay vigilant if you’re visiting the Mournes or Murlough.
"Avoid lighting BBQs or fires, and do not discard cigarettes in outdoor areas.”
NI Water added: “With warmer, drier weather, there is a real risk of landscape fires, particularly in mountain areas like Silent Valley.
“A single accidental fire in Silent Valley last spring burned over 5sq km of sensitive land.”