A “prolonged spell of very warm or hot weather” will occur in Ireland this week and into next week, according to Met Éireann, which warned that heatwave conditions are expected.
Temperatures are expected to “widely exceed” 25 degrees and could rise into the high 20s or even low 30s in places from Friday, the forecaster said in an advisory note issued on Monday evening.
A heatwave is defined as five or more successive days when temperatures rise above 25 degrees.
“The UV Index is expected to be high to very high. Warm and humid nights will occur with minima of 15 degrees or higher. Possible tropical nights may occur in places this weekend,” the advisory said
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Tropical nights are classified as those when the minimum temperature is greater than 20 degrees, according to Met Éireann, which also said there is a chance of thunderstorms later this week.
The forecaster said potential issues arising from the hot spell include uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress and dehydration (especially for the vulnerable and elderly), and animal welfare difficulties. It also said there would be “potential drought concerns” and “potential wildfires and forest fires”.
Temperatures of up to 28 degrees are being forecast for Tuesday, with the warmest weather in the east and southeast. Areas on the Atlantic coast are to remain cooler and cloudier, with highs of 17 to 20 degrees.
Wednesday is to be a mainly dry day, albeit with a chance of isolated spots of drizzle early on in parts of the west.
“Highest temperatures will range from 18 to 20 degrees in the northwest and west, but generally in low or mid-20s, highest across Leinster, where temperatures will be even a little higher locally, up to 27 or 28 degrees,” Met Éireann said.
Thursday is to be cloudy but dry, apart from a few patches of light rain and drizzle in parts of the west and north.
“This will tend to clear away northwards with sunshine becoming more widespread from the south.”
Temperatures will generally be in the low to mid-20s, but warmer in Munster and Leinster.
Friday is to be hotter than previous days with temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s and possibly touching 30 degrees in places.
Saturday is to be another hot day, with temperatures generally in the mid to high 20s, with the midlands and west possibly warmer again.
“Very warm and muggy by night with temperatures not falling below 16 to 19 or 20 degrees,” Met Éireann said. “While there’ll be a lot of dry sunny weather, some thunderstorms are possible too.”
Conditions are forecast to remain hot and humid early next week, but with a chance of some showers and thunderstorms.
