Spring sunshine to linger into the weekend

A wide angle shot of the river Foyle in Derry City. The Foyle bridge is visible with it's high white piers, and the buildings in the city are reaching into the bright clear blue sky. Sharon D

Bright and sunny conditions were felt in Londonderry on Monday

Barra Best
BBC News NI

Northern Ireland is experiencing some of the finest weather of the year so far, with warm sunshine set to continue for the rest of the working week.

High pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern keeping skies clear and dry.

A temperature shift to cooler conditions is likely to start this weekend.

Castlederg recorded 19C on Monday, the warmest day of the year so far, and similar highs are expected on Tuesday afternoon especially in the west.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Northern Ireland is due to see clear skies after early patches of mist clear, with temperatures widely peaking between 17C and 20C.

A still ocean with a large vessel in the background. There are high mountains in the backdrop, a light layer of mist rests on the ocean. Donal

There was a misty start to Tuesday morning in Warrenpoint

The current temperatures are normally recorded in July and August with the average for April closer to 12C.

A white sign which says 'BALLYCASTLE' on the seafront. Some people can be seen dotted along the beach on the sand. There is a cliff face in the background and the bright blue sea water along with the clear blue sky. Adhamh Connolly

Some people took a trip to the beach in Ballycastle on Monday

The settled spell continues into Friday with another sunny day, light westerly winds, and highs of about 19C.

A garden with a water feature in the middle. Behind the garden is a pale stone building with pointed towers. There are well trimmed hedges dotted throughout the garden with stone paths leading to the water feature. Belfast Camino

Sunny Belfast Castle on Monday

Weekend weather

Saturday will start misty and foggy in parts, but these will clear to reveal fine weather into the afternoon.

However, temperatures will begin to ease slightly, with highs between 14C and 18C.

From Sunday, low pressure is expected to edge in from the Atlantic, bringing a cooler and more unsettled picture into next week.

For now, though, the short-term outlook remains bright - with the best of the spring sunshine lasting into the weekend.

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