Ahead of the weekend, the met office forecast is for mainly fine weather with occasional increased cloud in the mountains and temperatures close to the seasonal average.

In its early morning weather forecast, the met office said Friday will be mainly fine, however at midday and in the afternoon, there will be intervals of increased cloud in the mountains.

Temperatures will rise to 33C inland, around 27C on the coasts and 26C in the mountains.

Friday night will be mainly fine, with increased cloud at intervals. There will be local patchy fog in the early hours of the morning. Temperatures will fall to 17C inland, around 18C on the coasts and 15C in the mountains.

Saturday will be mainly fine, but with increased cloud at intervals. Temperatures will remain at the same levels, which is close to average for the time of year.

Sunday will also be mainly fine, but clouds that develop at midday and in the afternoon may lead to isolated rain or thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains and inland. Temperatures will remain at the same levels.

Monday will see increased cloud at intervals which at midday and in the afternoon will lead to isolated rain and thunderstorms, mainly inland and in some areas in the northeast. Thunderstorms are very likely to be accompanied by hail.

There will be patchy fog and low cloud at night and early in the morning.