Today's warm temperatures, which Met Éireann likened to temperatures in June, are expected to cool somewhat over the weekend but it will still remain unseasonably warm for November.
Shannon Airport recorded a high of 17.3 degrees at 2 p.m. this afternoon but, a spokesman for Met Éireann said it was unlikely that anywhere in the country would break the November temperature record set in 1989 at Valentia of 19.8 degrees.
Today's warm weather was brought about by winds blowing from the south-east bringing warm air from the Mediterranean and most places were bathed in sunshine all day.
It will continue dry this evening and tonight, with clear skies in most areas, and with the Southeasterly winds persisting. A bit cooler than last night - lowest temperatures generally between 7 and 10 degrees, but a few sheltered areas may dip as low as 5 degrees and see some mist or fog patches.
It will be mostly dry tomorrow, with sunny spells - but some rain likely later in the Southwest. Not as exceptionally mild as today, highest temperatures 11 to 14 degrees.
Saturday night will be mostly dry and breezy apart from some patchy rain or drizzle in places, particularly in the southwest. Cloudier in all areas on Sunday with showery outbreaks of rain or drizzle, these mostly light, but with some heavier showers developing for a time in West Munster and South Connacht. The moderate occasionally fresh southeast breezes will veer south to southwest during the day.
Routes to avoid around the country during the week ahead
DUBLIN:Luas works in front of Store St Garda Station - no access to Beresford Place, Busaras, or the Coroner's Court from Frenchman's Lane or Store St North via Talbot St. Motorists will have to access Busaras & the Coroner's Court from Amiens St or Talbot Place instead. The Busaras taxi rank has also been relocated to outside of the Coroner's Court.
Part of Main Street Clondalkin closed until Friday, from its junction with Orchard Lane/Monastery Rd to its junction with New Rd. Alternative routes: 1 Watery Lane, Woodford Walk and Woodford Hill. 2 Watery Lane, New Nangor Rd, Fonthill Rd South and New Rd.
One-way system on Balleally Lane until tomorrow. Balleally Lane is main access route to Balleally Landfill site in Lusk. Access to the Blakes Cross/Skerries Rd from the Balleally Landfill site area will be via New Rogerstown Lane and the Rush-Lusk Road (R128) during this period.
Ferndale Road near Rathmichael Church in Shankill closed until December 8th, for M50 south eastern Motorway works. Northbound traffic diverts at junction of N11/Old Connaught Road via the N11, Crinken Lane and Ballybride Road. Southbound traffic will divert via Ballybride Road, Crinken Lane and the N11.
WESTMEATH:Temporary lights on the Lynn Road & Delvin Road Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for works on the Midland Broadband Project, some delays expected. Flagmen on N6 half a mile west of Kinnegad, for work on M4/M6 Motorway. Motorists can expect minor delays, especially during the rush hour.
MEATH:Roadworks on N3 from slip road at Clonee to turn off for Dunboyne, from Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
WEXFORD:Coach Road in Gorey closed. Delays on Main Street 8.30 a.m. -10 a.m. & 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Roadworks on N80, north of Bunclody may cause minor delays.
WATERFORD:Work on new Roundabout on N25 at Abbeyside in Dungarvan. Traffic diversions.
CORK:Washington St closed to inbound traffic - diverted down Sheer St and Liberty St (the direction on Liberty St has been reversed).
KERRY:Works on N21 between Tralee and Ballycarty, between Ratass at the east of Tralee and recently completed Ballycarty Roundabout where the N21 and N22 converge.
OFFALY:Long delays on N62 in Ferbane for sewer laying. Traffic for N62 north or southbound should divert via Ballinahown, Cloghan or Tullamore. Lane restrictions in Tullamore on Patrick Street & Kilbride St from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ROSCOMMON:Athlone Road and Circular Road have temporary lights, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m - 6 p.m.
LAOIS:Works on N8 between Durrow & Cullahill. Temporary lights from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.
Information was provided by the AA. For further details go to www.aaroadwatch.ie