This period of dry and settled weather is set to continue for the rest of the week and into the weekend, according to Met Eireann.

Mist and fog patches are expected to clear this morning; giving way to a dry day, with good sunshine likely in most areas.

It is set to be cloudier along the southwest coast; with a slight chance of a few patches of mist or drizzle.

Temperatures are forecast to range from 17 to 20 degrees, with the highest figures expected in the west and northwest.

It is likely to be slightly cooler along the northeast, east and south coasts, with the temperature remaining in the mid-teens.

Tonight is expected to be dry, with clear intervals; patches of mist and fog may also develop. Overnight temperatures are set to drop to between 2 and 5 degrees, in light easterly breezes.

Over the coming days drying conditions are expected to be good; but spraying conditions are set to deteriorate after Wednesday, due to increasing winds.

Further drying is forecast over the next few days; soils could do with some rain, according to Met Eireann. It also warned that there is a high risk of fires due to the very dry undergrowth.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Wednesday, is set to be dry with good levels of sunshine. It is expected to be a little cooler than the previous day, with maximum temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees.

It is forecast to be coolest along north, east and south coasts, in light to moderate easterly winds.

Dry and clear conditions are expected to prevail tomorrow night, but a few patches of mist or fog will develop; temperatures are set to drop to as low as 4 degrees.

Thursday

According to the forecast, Thursday will be mostly dry, with a mix of cloud and sunny intervals. A few isolated light showers may develop, mainly in southern counties.

Maximum temperatures are set to range in the mid-teens; conditions may be slightly cooler along north, east and south coasts, due to a moderate east to northeast wind.

Friday

It is set to be windy and dry in most, if not all, areas on Friday.

There is just a very slight chance of a few isolated light showers, especially in southern coastal areas, it added.

The best of the temperatures are forecast in the west and northwest, with highest values of 15 to 17 degrees. It will be cooler in the south and east, with highest values of 13 to 15 degrees.

Next weekend

Early indications suggest that next weekend will be dry, with temperatures gradually increasing countrywide.

Temperatures are set to reach the mid-to-high teens on Saturday, but are expected to soar into the low 20s in many areas on Sunday.

Winds will gradually decrease over the weekend; it is forecast to be cool at night, with mist and fog patches likely to develop.