Heatwave reaches Ireland as public warned about risk of heat stress

Irish Water says ‘vast majority’ of water supplies meeting demand as temperatures of up to 28 degrees forecast

Met Éireann has warned people of the dangers of heat stress and of water-related dangers as another heatwave is forecast for the country this week.

The forecaster at the weekend issued a high temperature weather advisory for Ireland, which is in effect until Monday, August 15th, during which time temperatures could reach up to 28 degrees.

Met Éireann said Ireland will experience a hot spell developing from Wednesday and continuing through the rest of the week and the weekend. The weather will gradually get warmer as the days progress, before reaching up to 28 degrees.

Conall Ruth, forecaster with Met Éireann, warned people to look out for the elderly and the vulnerable later this week when temperatures are set to rise.

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“What we’re also going to see over the coming days is that high pressure tracking away to the east — towards Denmark and beyond, and as it does so the air flow around that high pressure will also draw up a lot of warm continental air from mainland Europe that will also contribute a lot to the very warm temperatures that we’re expecting.”

Although there was some uncertainty about exact temperatures, he said, generally there will be widespread high temperatures from the mid 20s from Wednesday.

“Based on current projections all areas can expect to see temperatures reach at least the low 20s over the weekend.”

Asked if this predicted heatwave was the result of global warming, Mr Ruth said it was difficult to attribute any single event to climate change, “but certainly spells of hot weather like this are something we are seeing more frequently as we continue to change the climate and that’s really going to continue as we move forward”.

Irish Water said the “vast majority” of its 750 water treatment plants continue to meet the demand for water supply.

“While there was a significant increase in demand during the hot weather in mid-July, recent rainfall has seen a decrease in the number of schemes at risk of drought,” the utility said.

“There are currently only 13 areas impacted by shortages and Irish Water have implemented a range of measures such as tankering [using tanker-trucks to deliver water] and/or night time restrictions to protect supplies and ensure water keeps flowing to homes and businesses.”

The 13 areas affected by shortages are in Wexford, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Cork, Galway and Clare.

Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, medical director of the Irish College for General Practitioners, warned about the dangers of skin cancers, which he said are “rapidly rising” in Ireland.

Dr Quinlan said members of the public should remember the five S’s: slip, slap, slop, seek shade and sunglasses.

“Slip on a long-sleeve shirt, slap on a broad-brim hat, slop on suncream, seek shade between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon and then sunglasses,” he said.

“I recommend factor 50 suncream, but also remember the areas that are likely to get burned like the top of the feet, the back of the neck, the head and shoulders.”

Meanwhile, Dublin-based homeless charity, A Lending Hand, has asked the public to be aware of the problems faced by rough sleepers during the extreme weather conditions.

“With rising temperatures this week ahead please make sure our pals have water or sun cream and if you see someone in need please help them,” the charity said.

Shauna Bowers

Shauna Bowers

Shauna Bowers is a reporter for The Irish Times

Vivienne Clarke

Vivienne Clarke is a reporter