Weather warnings in place as experts predict rare weather event amid 31 degree heat

Weather warnings are now in place for the whole of Ireland as the next few days will see temperatures climb to a roasting 31 degrees in some places.

Met Éireann has issued the Status Yellow High Temperature warning for the entire country that will remain in place until 9am on Friday morning.

Maximum temperatures are set to be in excess of 27 degrees with potential impacts including water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress and a possibility of forest fires.

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The HSE has also issued advice to the public on how to keep safe in the heat with a particular emphasis on vulnerable people including the elderly , infants and young children, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and those who work or spend long periods outdoors.

Heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke so the public is advised to stay indoors during peak heat times (11am to 3pm) and stay in the shade as much as possible.

Carlow Weatherman Alan O’Reilly has also warned of thunderstorms and risks of “large hail” on Thursday and Friday.

Today will be a little cloudy but plenty of sunny spells today with largely dry weather too. A touch more cloud will push in across western counties later however with a few showers possible, possible heavy across Connacht. Another very warm and humid day with light winds and highest temperatures of 23 to 28 degrees.

Dry for most tonight with clear spells. Continuing cloudier across parts of Connacht and Ulster with a few patches of light rain or drizzle possible. Warm and humid with lowest temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees, warmest in the south and east and coolest in the northwest, all with mostly light easterly or variable breezes.

Thursday

Tomorrow will be a hot and humid day across the country. Apart from a few patches of drizzle in the northwest early on, it will be dry with good sunshine for most. There is the chance of thunderstorms developing later in the day, most likely in the west and northwest.

Highest temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees, possibly reaching higher in some places, with the hottest temperatures across the midlands and west. East to southeast breezes will be light to moderate.

Heavy showers and possible thunderstorms are likely to develop on Thursday night, mainly in the west and northwest though they may spread elsewhere through the night, with a chance of spot flooding and frequent lightning.

Dry for most otherwise with clear spells. Warm and humid with lowest temperatures of just 17 to 20 degrees for most, though a few degrees cooler in parts of the northwest, in light, occasionally moderate, northerly winds.

Friday

Heavy and possibly thundery showers are likely to persist in the northwest for much of the day. Dry for most elsewhere, with plenty of sunny spells, though becoming cloudier in the south. Still warm and humid with highest temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees, though a few degrees cooler in the northwest and near the south coast. Northerly breezes will become mostly moderate southerly winds.

Another mild and humid night on Friday night, with a mix of cloud and clear skies. Cloud will increase from the south with some patchy rain developing in parts of the south and west overnight. Lowest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees, with moderate southerly winds, fresher near the south and west coast.

Saturday

Some bright or sunny spells at times, mainly in the east, but mostly cloudy with outbreaks of showery rain slowly becoming more widespread from the west. Highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees, coolest in the west, with moderate to fresh southerly winds.

Sunday

Quite breezy with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 16 degrees in the west to 20 degrees in the east, with moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.

Further outlook

Current indications show a dry day for many on Monday with sunny spells and well-scattered showers.