The current spell of sunny weather being enjoyed by much of the country is set to end this weekend, according to Met Éireann, who has forecasted rain and showers next week.

In the short term, the settled spell will continue up to and including Friday, with temperatures highs of 20° to 21°C expected today (Wednesday) April 9, and tomorrow, meteorologist Andrew Doran-Sherlock, told Agriland.

Yesterday was the warmest day of the year, Doran-Sherlock stated, with 22° recorded in Newport Co. Mayo.

The senior Met Éireann meteorologist said that the warm weather is a consequence of the high pressure prevailing from the north of the country, with highest temperatures dominant in the northwest of the country as a result.

Temperatures have been slightly cooler in the east and south of the country, Doran-Sherlock added, with 15° to 19°C recorded in those areas over the last number of days on account of an easterly directed wind.

He expects this wind pattern to give way tomorrow, which will consequently raise the temperature levels in the east and south of the country.

Doran-Sherlock said: "From tomorrow and Friday, the temperatures in the south and the east will be noticeably higher than they have been previously, we would be talking 16° to 21°C. On Friday, it would be a case of 15° to 19° or 20°C.

"With the shift in the warmer temperatures to the east and south, the northwest will be noticeably cooler on Friday, but will still be well above average temperatures for this time of year."

He also predicted "patches" of rain to develop on Saturday, the exact location and quantities of which remain "uncertain" for now, but he does not expect any "significant" amount of rain to fall this weekend.

While a cloudier day is expected overall on Saturday, dry conditions will persist in certain parts of the country, with temperatures highs of 11° to 16°C forecasted by the meteorologist.

"Comparatively speaking, it's a decline, but it's not a bad day overall.

"Then as we head into Sunday and into early next week, the winds will be picking up a bit - nothing too strong, but certainly a change from what we have had and it looks like it will be quite showery." he explained.

He forecasted temperatures to drop to below 12°C for much of the country on Sunday, which will be more in line with average temperatures for this time of year.

Early and mid next week will see "a shower regime" settle across the country, thereby concluding the high pressure variables at play, Doran-Sherlock said.

Meanwhile Uisce Éireann has issued a warning to customers to be vigilant of their water usage during the dry spell, as resources come under pressure.

It has recommended steps, such as taking shorter showers, placing a basin in the sink, and fixing leaks as means of cutting down on water expenditure.

Head of water operations with Uisce Éireann, Margaret Attridge, said: “We are seeing high and increasing demand in a number of supplies around the country, including those serving the Greater Dublin Area, as well as some areas of Westmeath, Donegal, Limerick, Kilkenny and Wexford.

"In response, we have been ramping up our leakage detection, pipe repair, and other network management activities to help offset this demand."

She also added: "We will continue to monitor the situation around the country and take measures to manage supplies as we go into the summer months.

"As we enjoy this very welcome spell of warm weather, we are asking everyone to play their part in conserving water and reporting leaks to help alleviate the pressure on our water supplies".