NI enjoys hottest day of the year so far but thunderstorm warning lies ahead
NI has been bathed in sunshine ahead of the weekend
Enjoying an ice cream at Crawfordsburn. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
Beach goers enjoying the Northern Ireland weather at Crawfordsburn in Co. Down. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
Nicole Hanna and Elizabeth Rea. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
The dogs were also getting in on the act at Crawfordsburn. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
QUB students from a cross the world enjoying the sun. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
Crowds at Crawfordsburn. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
Carter Ewing and Brenda Wellstead. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
Natasha McAllister, Conall Vallely and Daniel Vallely. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
People around Northern Ireland have been making the most of the sunny weather, but thunderstorms are lurking towards the end of the weekend.
Sun worshippers flocked to beaches and parks on Friday to lap up the heat as NI enjoyed its hottest day of the year so far.
A temperature of 23.7C was recorded in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, an increase on Thursday when Helen’s Bay, Co Down recorded 21.7C, the previous record for 2024.
The bright spell comes during a week where NI welcomed rock legend Bruce Springsteen to Boucher Road Playing Fields, with the Boss entertaining crowds in Belfast on Thursday night.
The sunshine has also been welcomed on the north coast as the annual North West 200 racing event is in full swing.
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Friday evening will see the dry weather continue, with long sunny and clear periods lasting through the evening and mist patches forming close to dawn on Saturday morning.
The warm temperatures and sunshine are expected to remain through Saturday, with the best of the sun in the morning before some patchy clouds start to build into the afternoon.
A maximum temperature of 22C has been forecast.
Beach goers enjoying the Northern Ireland weather at Crawfordsburn in Co. Down. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry/PressEye
Sunday however will bring a change as scattered showers move in following a dry and bright start.
The showers will soon spread north, with some heavy thundery weather expected, particularly in the west.
Showers or longer spells of rain will continue into Monday, before Tuesday brings drier conditions.
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is also in place for Sunday as isolated thunderstorms are forecast across NI.
Many areas will miss the heaviest showers altogether, but a few places could see 30-40 mm in the space of an hour or two, possibly accompanied by some hail.
Should they develop, the showers are likely to fade and die out during the evening.
Areas affected include County Armagh, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone.
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