Temperatures across parts of Ireland are expected to rise to around 30°C later this week as warm weather continues to build, prompting Met Éireann to issue a weather advisory for potential heatwave conditions.
The advisory comes into effect on Wednesday and will remain in place until next Tuesday. According to the national forecaster, daytime temperatures are expected to exceed 25°C in many areas, with some locations likely to experience highs in the upper 20s or even reaching 30°C from Friday onwards. Warm and humid nights are also expected over the weekend, with the possibility of tropical nights, while isolated thunderstorms could develop later in the week.
Overall, Ireland is forecast to enjoy prolonged dry, settled weather with plenty of sunshine lasting through the week and into next weekend. A heatwave is officially defined as five consecutive days with temperatures of at least 25°C, and forecasters believe some parts of the country are likely to meet this threshold.
Met Éireann forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock said current conditions suggest that heatwave criteria will likely be reached in certain regions. While the country is not yet experiencing a heatwave, he noted that forecasts indicate temperatures will continue to climb over the coming days.
Early in the week, cloud, light drizzle and mist will affect northern and western areas, while much of the rest of the country will remain dry with sunny spells and temperatures ranging between 22°C and 28°C. Wednesday is expected to follow a similar pattern, with morning cloud gradually clearing to allow more widespread sunshine and highs of up to 28°C.
Thursday is likely to bring a temporary dip in temperatures, making it the coolest day of the week. Cloudy conditions are expected to dominate initially, although it will remain mainly dry, with maximum temperatures of around 19°C to 20°C.
By Friday, much warmer continental air is forecast to move across the country, making it the hottest day of the week. Temperatures could reach 30°C in some inland areas, particularly across the southwest, west, midlands and southern counties.
Doran-Sherlock explained that recent weather patterns have produced a noticeable contrast between different parts of the country. While northwestern regions have remained cloudier with temperatures between 16°C and 18°C, southeastern counties have enjoyed warmer conditions, reaching the low to mid-20s. This regional difference is expected to continue before sunshine becomes more widespread later in the week.
The warm spell is being driven by high pressure positioned to the south of Ireland, drawing warm, humid tropical maritime air over the country. As the high-pressure system shifts northwards later in the week, it will allow even warmer continental air to spread across Ireland, increasing temperatures further.
Although Ireland will not experience the extreme heat affecting parts of mainland Europe, temperatures will still be significantly above average for July. The combination of high daytime temperatures and humid nights may increase the risk of heat stress, particularly for vulnerable people.
Met Éireann has indicated that yellow heat warnings may be issued later in the week if confidence in the forecast continues to increase. The settled weather pattern is expected to continue into the weekend, bringing long spells of sunshine, warm temperatures and generally dry conditions.
Meteorologist Mark Bowe also highlighted that warm overnight temperatures may cause discomfort and make sleeping difficult. He advised keeping windows and curtains closed during the day to prevent homes from heating up, making it easier to cool indoor spaces once temperatures fall during the evening.
