The study, by the British Met Office and the University of East Anglia, indicates this year will feature the highest temperatures since records began in 1850, with the global mean temperature reaching higher levels than ever seen before.

However, the Met Office said it did not yet know exactly which areas of the earth will see higher than normal temperatures, meaning Ireland is not guaranteed its hottest ever year.

"It's too soon to say yet what the summer forecast is going to be, " said a UK Met Office spokesman. "Globally, 2007 will be the warmest year on record but we're not yet sure if Ireland will benefit from it."

The most recent year to hold the record was 1998 and Ireland did not have unusually good weather that year.

So far this spring, temperatures are already three to four degrees above average, with temperatures reaching highs of 17 degrees last Monday.

Unfortunately, the warm spell is already over and a cold spell is expected to engulf the country from this evening.

"We are forecasting a cold snap from Sunday afternoon, with temperatures of between seven and eight degrees, " said a spokesman for Met �ireann. "There will be a biting wind from the north, which will make sure everyone feels the cold.

There may also be sleet and snow showers in part of the North and the cold weather is expected to continue right into the week."