Temperatures could reach 31C in Ireland this week – Met Éireann
Young people jump into the Saint-Martin Canal during a heatwave in Paris. Picture: Vincent Koebel/Nur/Getty
Temperatures are set to reach as high as 31C on Thursday, with a status yellow warning issued for the whole country.
The Met Éireann warning comes as parts of Europe face a heatwave with temperatures there set to rise above 40C.
Met Éireann said heat stress, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, and water safety issues are possible as temperatures are set to climb over 27C during the day and over 15C at night.
The alert will remain in place until 9am on Friday.
A nationwide overall weather advisory has also been issued until 10am on Thursday. It said Ireland will see "exceptionally warm weather" this week.
"Daytime temperatures will exceed 25C, with temperatures possibly reaching 30C on Thursday. Very mild, humid and possibly uncomfortable at night as temperatures will generally stay above 15C. Thunderstorms are possible also, particularly on Thursday," Met Éireann said.
Western Europe is enduring a ferocious heatwave that is forecast to break temperature records, with half of France on red alert, rail services in Belgium disrupted, and sports events in Spain and Germany cancelled or postponed.
Read More
French authorities on Monday placed 49 of the country’s 96 mainland departments on a level 1 danger-to-life warning, urging 35m people to exercise “absolute vigilance”, drink water often, avoid all strenuous exertion and stay out of direct sun.
Another 40 departments were on a level 2 orange alert.
“Very high temperatures are setting in for the long term across the country,” said the national meteorological service, Météo-France.
In the UK, Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity, while a red heat health alert has been issued in England, indicating “a risk to life for even the healthy population”.
Back at home, while long spells of sunshine and dry weather will dominate the next few days, rain will come in towards the end of the week.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging road users to exercise caution on the roads this week.
Motorists are being advised to reduce the risk from sun glare by wearing sunglasses and to be aware of the dangers.
Be prepared and ensure you have adequate supplies for water," the RSA said.
"Any delays to journeys could result in road users being stuck in traffic for a period of time in hot conditions. Children and pets are particularly at risk during these hot spells of weather," they added.
Motorists are also being urged to watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
"Summertime is the most dangerous time of the year on our roads. In the summer, when there are no obvious dangers, and the weather is fine and days are brighter, we drop our guard," the RSA said.
"There can be a spike in pedestrian, people who cycle and motorcyclist casualties over the summer months as the fine weather brings more people onto the roads. Drivers need to be on the lookout for them. Slow down and expect the unexpected," they added.
- Additional reporting from the Guardian
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
