A Met Office spokesperson said tomorrow will be dry and sunny across much of the region, with conditions ideal for those hoping to make the most of the summer solstice.
Saturday will remain warm, with highs of around 24C for many areas, although forecasters expect cloud to build later in the day ahead of a shift to more unsettled weather.
“Temperatures in Northern Ireland are likely to reach around 25C on Friday, with sunshine also in the forecast for the day,” a Met Office spokesperson said.
“Saturday may have a little more in the way of cloud, especially later in the day, but it’ll be dry and warm for much of the morning and afternoon, with highs around 24C for many. However, it’s later on Saturday when Northern Ireland will see the start of a transition to more unsettled weather.”
The Met Office added that “thundery rain, with associated hail, is possible late on Saturday and into Sunday, which could require warnings as details on the forecast become clearer.”
The Met Office has predicted highs of 25 degrees in Northern Ireland (Credit: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)
On Sunday, the mercury is also expected to fall, with rain arriving from the west and moving eastwards as Northern Ireland will transition back to a “more typical westerly regime, bringing cooler, wetter conditions for the early part of next week” according to the weather group.
Pollen levels are also expected to remain high or very high over the next two days, with grass pollen in particular causing problems for hay fever sufferers, but conditions will ease slightly as the rain moves in over the weekend.
The warmer temperatures have also prompted a water safety warning from the RNLI, who are urging the public to take extra care around the coast and inland waterways.
Linda-Gene Byrne, Regional Water Safety Lead at the RNLI, said: “Heading to the coast or inland waters in good weather is a great way to relax and cool off — but the water can be dangerous.
“Air temperatures may feel warm, but water temperatures are cold enough year-round to trigger cold-water shock.”
She added: “To stay safe, we would encourage you to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags. If you get into difficulty in the water, the single piece of advice we’re urging people to remember is Float to Live: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink — we all float differently.”
The RNLI says the Float to Live message has already helped save dozens of lives across the UK, and is calling on people to keep the advice front of mind as they enjoy the weather.
Pacemaker Press 18-06-2025: Leena Fogarty pictured enjoy the sunshine at Belfast Castle (Credit: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)
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The spell of sunshine in Northern Ireland comes as the UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with 30.1C measured at St James’s Park in London today — surpassing the previous high of 29.4C recorded in Suffolk earlier this month.
An amber heat-health alert remains in place across all of England, with temperatures expected to rise further to 33C in the days ahead.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that the heatwave could place additional pressure on health and social care services, with increased demand likely until at least Monday morning.