Temperatures set to top 27C as Met Éireann issues heat warnings

People enjoying the good weather at Warren Beach in Rosscarbery on Wednesday. Picture: Andy Gibson

A pair of status yellow high temperature warnings have been issued for the entire country for the next two days, with daytime temperatures of over 27C expected, and the mercury not expected to fall below 15C overnight.

The first warning, which affects Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, and Tipperary, will be in place from midday on Friday. 

Between then and the time the alert lifts at 6am on Saturday, Met Éireann says maximum temperatures "in excess of 27C combined with night-time minima in excess of 15C expected".

From midday on Saturday, a second yellow high temperature warning will be in place for the entire country. Once again, Met Éireann says daytime temperatures of above 27C are expected, along with nighttime temperatures of more than 15C. The warning is currently scheduled to lift at 6am on Sunday.

Met Éireann is warning of potential impacts that include 

• Water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches; 
• Forest fires are a possibility;
• Uncomfortable sleeping conditions;
• Heat stress.

National outlook

As for the general outlook for the next few days, Met Éireann says Thursday will see the mercury hit highs of 27C or so, though it will be a little cooler in coastal areas in a light, mainly southerly breeze.

Conditions will stay dry into Thursday night, with some areas of mist and fog developing as temperatures fall back to between 10C to 15C.

Any overnight fog will quickly clear on Friday morning, giving way to another very hot and sunny day. The forecaster says temperatures will range from 23 to 28C.

Friday night is expected to be quite warm and humid, as temperatures dip back only to between 13C and 16C in a light to moderate southerly breeze.

Saturday will be yet another hot, sunny day, with temperatures likely to hit 29C, or possibly even 30C in some places. Saturday night will be, Met Éireann says, "an uncomfortable night for sleeping" since temperatures will not fall below 14C to 18C in most areas.

Finally, Sunday will begin dry and bright with good early spells of sunshine. However, cloud will thicken from the southwest through the day, with outbreaks of rain gradually developing in Munster, Connacht and west Ulster.

Sunday will be another very warm day for most, with highs of 23C to 28C expected, though it will be slightly cooler under increasing cloud in the southwest.