Kilkenny and Shannon the hottest spots

KILKENNY and Shannon recorded the highest Irish temperatures so far this century when they hit 30°C yesterday.

That was only 3.3°C less than the maximum temperature ever recorded in this country, 33.3°C at Kilkenny Castle in June 1887. It was also a whopping 10°C more than the average temperature at this time of year.

Even the lowest temperature yesterday, 18.5°C on the coastline at Malin Head and Rosslare, was close to the summer average.

The fine weather meant the sailors at Cork Week in Crosshaven enjoyed uninterrupted sunshine, if not a great deal of wind, as they took part in the second day of racing.

The unseasonable heat is set to continue for at least the next 24 hours with Met Éireann predicting temperatures again touching 30 degrees or more in places today. However, unlike previous days where the clouds have been few and far between, there is the risk of showers. Most areas will start dry and sunny, but cloud will increase during the day, with showers developing, some heavy and possibly thundery this afternoon and evening. The west and southwest can expect most of the rain.

Given the huge potential to burn in the summer sun, particularly in recent temperatures, the Irish Cancer Society has said sun cream needs to be applied thickly and evenly.

It said a squirt the size of a golf ball should be used on each application. It also said sun screen should be applied every two hours, or more if a person has been sweating or swimming. This applies to all sunscreens no matter how high the protection is.

By tomorrow, the weather will have started to return to the usual Irish summer.

People stuck in work throughout the heatwave of the last few days will still get to enjoy reasonable weather when they are released next weekend.

Saturday and Sunday are expected to bring a mixture of sunshine and some showers in pleasantly warm temperatures.