Status Yellow high-temperature warning issued for eight counties

LAST UPDATE | 27 mins ago

A STATUS YELLOW high temperature warning has been issued for eight counties from midday, as Met Éireann said it could reach 30C in places. 

The warning for counties Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly will remain in place until 6pm on Wednesday. 

The national forecaster said maximum temperatures are expected to be in excess of 27C in those counties, combined with lowest nighttime temperatures in excess of 15C.  

This could lead to water-safety issues due to increased use of lakes and beaches and the possibility of forest fires, as well as uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress.

It comes as forecasters in Europe said record temperatures being reached across the continent are being driven by a so-called ‘heat dome’ of warm air from northern Africa trapped under a high-pressure system.

Temperatures in Spain are expected to peak later this week at 38C, while parts of Italy have imposed restrictions on working outdoors.

Scientists say human-driven climate change is amplifying such extremes, with Europe warming faster than the global average and heatwaves growing more frequent and severe.

In Ireland, the record high temperature for the month of May was provisionally beaten on Monday, when a temperature of 28.6C was recorded at Shannon Airport.

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Met Éireann said any mist or fog patches today will clear early on to leave another warm or hot day.

It will stay dry and sunny for most, though some cloud will develop for a time in the north and northwest, with an outside chance of an isolated shower later this afternoon.

The forecaster said highest temperatures will generally range from 23 to 29 or 30C, hottest in Munster and south Leinster and slightly cooler in the north and northwest thanks to a moderate breeze. 

It will stay dry and mild tonight, with a little bit of cloud and the chance of a few isolated mist patches. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 17C, mildest further south and a little cooler in the far north.

The warm weather will continue on Wednesday. It will be mainly dry and sunny early on with highs of 22 to 29 or 30C, though there’s a chance of a few well scattered showers breaking out late in the afternoon. 

There’s a likelihood of some scattered thundery showers for a time on Wednesday night. Cloud will increase in the south and west that will result in some patchy drizzle, mist and fog, especially in the south. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 16C.

While there’ll still be some sunny spells for a time in parts of the east and north on Thursday, it’ll become cloudy generally, with some patchy light rain, drizzle and mist in places.

It’s expected to brighten up later in the day, though it will be less warm than the current temperatures, with highs of 17 to 24C forecast. 

On Friday, there’ll be a few scattered showers for a time, mainly in Ulster. Otherwise, it’ll be a dry day with some pleasant sunny spells. Highest temperatures will range around 17 to 22C, warmest in the east and a bit cooler in coastal parts of the west and northwest.

Unsure of what exactly is happening with the earth’s climate? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online.

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