Cork Weather: Met Eireann finally forecasts rain for Munster as Storm Oscar threatens Spain

Parts of Cork will see a high of 24 degrees today - but in the Canaries and across much of Spain - they are bracing for floods.

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It if feels like it's been a long time since we saw rain - that's because it is, coming up on two weeks now since the last substantial showers seen in most parts of Munster.

Irish Water has already put the first supply restrictions of the summer in place in West Cork - which could see highs of 24C today - and the utility is closely monitoring levels and use across Ireland as the prospect of widespread hose-pipe bans and other conservation measures gets ever greater.

There is some hope for Irish Water, for farmers and for gardeners this morning - Met Eireann's latest forecast says the long heatwave could finally break next weekend. And if Ireland is going to see substantial rain, it's most likely to come here in the south.

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The longer-range forecast is for the strong possibility of heavy showers and even thundery outbursts across the south on Saturday with more rain to follow on the Sunday, when the high-pressure conditions that have given us an unusually hot, dry and settled few weeks finally give way.

But before we get to that - we're looking at another week of hot, dry and cloudless days, with temperatures pushing up significantly into the low-to-mid-twenties. Parts of Cork will see daily highs of around 24 C over the coming week and it will feel hotter in direct sunlight, as winds will be very light to moderate.

The end of the week is full of uncertainty - there's a strong possibility of very heavy and sustained showers but we may not get a clearer picture until Wednesday or Thursday. Meanwhile, if you had booked a flight from Cork to the Canaries this week you might be regretting it - Storm Oscar is due to hit the islands tomorrow, a very unusual June storm bringing very, very heavy rain and the possibility of flooding.

This morning - thunderstorms have been hitting a wide belt of southern Europe, including Italy, Malta and the Adriatic, in Croatia and western parts of Greece and the islands.

The full forecast from Met Eireann for Munster this morning looks like:

Munster

TODAY - Monday 5th June

Dry and sunny today, though a little cloud may bubble up in the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 21 to 24 degrees in a light easterly breeze.

TONIGHT

Tonight will be dry and clear in a light easterly breeze or near calm conditions. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees.

Tomorrow Tuesday

Another dry and sunny day, though once again some patchy cloud will bubble up in the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees in a light easterly breeze.

National Outlook

Overview: High pressure will continue to dominate our weather this week, keeping things generally dry and warm with plenty of sunshine.

Tuesday night : Yet another dry and generally clear night. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in a light easterly breeze.

Wednesday : Staying dry and sunny for most though with the chance of a light shower in Ulster. Highest temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees for most. The east and northeast will be slightly cooler with highs of 16 to 19 degrees in light to moderate easterly winds.

Wednesday night : Dry and clear overnight. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a light easterly breeze.

Thursday : Remaining dry with hazy sunshine across the country. Some patchy cloudy is possible in the southwest later. Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees in Leinster and east Ulster, and of 20 to 23 degrees elsewhere, in light to moderate easterly winds.

Friday : Most of the country will stay dry on Friday with spells of hazy sunshine. However, it is possible that it will be cloudier at times in the south and southwest with the chance of some patchy rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees, warmest in the west, in moderate easterly winds.

Next weekend : Staying warm with temperatures in the high teens or low twenties. There is uncertainty in the forecast as yet but there is a chance that some showers will move across the country from the south.

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Cork Weather: Met Eireann finally forecasts rain for Munster as Storm Oscar threatens Spain