Quick; inflate the paddling pool.

Cork is likely to be basking in temperatures of up to 27C this week as summer 2019 finally shows its face.

As a heatwave sweeps Europe, sending the mercury soaring to 40C in many parts of France, we’e due our own little sunny spell on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday here on Leeside.

Today began dry, warm and humid with sunny spells and some patchy cloud forecast and highest afternoon temperatures ranging between 20 and 25 degrees.

According to Met Éireann, Thursday will be “mostly dry and sunny”, feeling very warm and humid with maximum temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees.

“A muggy night will follow with overnight lows of 13 to 17 degrees in light or moderate easterly breezes.” predicts the national forecaster.

By Friday temperatures are expected to rise as high as 27 degrees, so hit the park for lunch al fresco before the clouds begin to gather on Friday evening and outbreaks of rain lead us into a soggy weekend of heavy rain and thunder.