Unusual weather phenomenon to hit Ireland - you'll notice it on your driveway

Weather experts have pointed out an unusual weather phenomenon hitting Ireland this week that could result in your needed a car wash at the weekend.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel said there was some "interesting weather taking place" this week with dust from the Sahara being picked up and dumped over Ireland.

He explained that "winds are in a south-easterly direction but on account of the presence of low pressure over parts of the Iberian peninsula and Saharan Africa, we've seen quite a lot of Saharan sands that has been elevated up into the upper levels of the atmosphere. On account of the south-easterly airflow, it's actually been pushed well towards Ireland."

He said when it rains, this Saharan dust will fall to ground level and may collect on your car. "Don't be surprised when your cars dry off if you see quite a lot of dust residue," Cathal added.

He pointed out the readings for Saharan dust this week are among the highest he's seen and that this phenomenon also led to Thursday's extraordinary sunset.

Looking ahead to the weekend weather, he said: "For the weekend high pressure remains firmly in control of our weather with light to moderate easterly winds gradually easing. The warmest weather will be across the Midwest, West and northwest where highs of up to 20 degrees Celsius are possible.

"Good sunshine is forecast also right the way across the country. High pressure builds further next week and establishes itself close to or across the country leading to light winds, blue skies and temperatures going up a degree or two, possibly peaking between Tuesday and Thursday where values could be as high as 21 or 22 degrees Celsius."

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Meanwhile, Met Éireann's latest weather forecast predicts similar conditions with high pressure sticking around into next week.

Over the next few days and into next week, they predict "plenty of sunshine during the days with temperatures gradually increasing further. Chilly during the nights."

They say Saturday will be "breezy, dry and mostly sunny with just some patchy cloud and the odd shower affecting the southwest at times. Moderate to fresh easterly winds will ease in the evening. Highest temperatures of 11 to 18 degrees, coolest in the east and northeast. Dry and clear [on Saturday night]. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees in light to moderate easterly breezes.

"Another dry and sunny day [on Sunday] for most but cloudier conditions may develop in the southwest with the odd spot of drizzle possible near coasts. Highest temperatures of 11 to 18 degrees, warmest in the west and southwest, in light to moderate east to southeast breezes.

"Dry overnight with mostly clear skies allowing it to become chilly with lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees. A few mist and fog patches will develop in light southeast breezes."

Looking to next week, they say Monday will be "dry with plenty of sunshine, highest temperatures of 13 to 18 or 19 degrees, coolest for southern and eastern coasts, in mostly light southeast breezes. Dry overnight though some fog patches will develop. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees in light variable breezes.

"Fog will clear through in the morning [on Tuesday] to leave another dry day with plenty of sunshine, turning hazy at times. Highest temperatures of 14 to 19 degrees in light southeast or variable breezes.

"High pressure will continue to dominate our weather for the rest of the working week bringing dry conditions with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures in the mid to high teens," the forecast concludes.