Met Éireann predicts heatwave conditions as temperatures set to exceed 25C in Cork

Twins Éabha and Aoife Hanrahan from white Cross enjoying the recent bout of hot weather at Fountainstown beach. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Thursday is due to be another very warm day with sunny spells, following a cloudy start in places in Munster this morning. 

Met Éireann predicts temperatures ranging between 24 to 28 degrees in the midlands, south and east. Further west, temperatures will be slightly cooler ranging between 18 and 23 degrees, in light westerly or variable breezes.

Deirdre Lowe, meteorologist with Met Éireann told the Irish Examiner that temperatures are likely to exceed 25 degrees today at Moorepark in Cork, constituting "heatwave conditions" following five consecutive days of temperatures in excess of the mid to high 20s.

“At the moment, 25 degrees is expected in the vicinity of Moorepark,” said Ms Lowe.

“It would be heatwave conditions – but we won’t know those values until later this afternoon.

“It looks like it will be a lovely day – it's a bit cloudy in parts of Cork right now, but the cloud should soon move out with big spells of sunshine this afternoon – when we’ll be watching temperatures.

“That theme will continue for the rest of the week, over the weekend, and into next week too.”

The forecaster is also warning seasonal allergy sufferers that pollen will be high.

With a weather advisory in place until early next week, the public have been warned of the potential for uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress and dehydration, especially for the vulnerable and elderly and animal welfare issues. 

"Daytime maxima will widely exceed 25 degrees Celsius with values climbing to the high 20s or even low 30s in places from Friday," Met Éireann said, "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. There is also the chance of some thunderstorms later this week." 

It has been a steady start to the day on the roads although a road remains closed in Mayo following a fatal collision on Wednesday night. 

A man in his 50s died following a collision between a vehicle and bicycle outside Ballinrobe, on the N84 at Carrowkeel, and the road is currently closed with local diversions in place.

Cork motorists should be aware of a stop-go system in place on the N72 between Kanturk and Mallow, due to roadworks. 

There will also be a full closure of the Jack Lynch tunnel tonight, from 9pm to 4am. It is the third and final planned closure for this week, all to enable maintenance. 

Additionally, there are reports of an abandoned vehicle in the left westbound lane of the N25 Youghal Bypass, before the Youghal exit.

Motorists are urged to use caution on approach and to merge right where safe to do so.

It is expected to stay very mild and humid overnight with temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees. It will be cloudier over the west and northwest with mist and fog patches forming; clear and dry elsewhere, with light northerly or variable breezes.

Weather for the weekend ahead

We can expect another very warm or hot day on Friday, though slightly cooler on northern fringes. It will be dry for most with hazy sunny spells, cloudier to the west and northwest with isolated showers. Met Éireann expect highest temperatures of 21 to 29 degrees, warmest in the south, with light northerly breezes.

Saturday will remain very warm or hot with highest temperatures ranging between 18 to 29 degrees, cooler in the north, with moderate northeast winds.