People across parts of Ireland are being warned to prepare for potentially severe thunderstorms today, as the country's record-breaking spell of hot weather comes to an unsettled end.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning covering Connacht, along with Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Tipperary, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.
The warning came into effect at 9am on Friday and remains in place until 6pm, with forecasters warning that while thunderstorms will be hit and miss, some areas could see intense downpours capable of causing localised flooding, hail, very gusty winds, difficult travelling conditions and disruption to power, water, gas and telecommunications.
⚠️Warnings in operation⤵️
High Temperature ⚠️ for Ireland
⏳12:00 Tues 23/06 to 09:00 Sat 27/06Thunderstorm ⚠️ Cavan Donegal Monaghan Clare Tipperary Connacht Kildare Laois Longford Meath Offaly Westmeath
⏳09:00 to 18:00 Fri 26/06
↪️Northern Ireland⚠️00:00 to 10:00 Fri 26/06 pic.twitter.com/O2Zl0FtlRU— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 26, 2026
The thunderstorm alert comes as Ireland continues to experience exceptionally high temperatures. A separate Status Yellow high temperature warning, which has covered the entire country since Tuesday, remains in place until 9am on Saturday.
Met Éireann said temperatures above 27C and unusually warm nights have increased the risk of heat stress, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, water safety incidents as more people head to beaches and lakes, and even potential forest fires.
On Thursday, a temperature of 32.1C was recorded at Athenry, Co Galway, making it one of the hottest days Ireland has experienced in recent years.
From the Archives 🔖➡️ https://t.co/mll39Bsfk1 pic.twitter.com/HolPkKuYGh
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 26, 2026
Forecasters are urging people to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, stay out of direct sunlight where possible, and never leave children, older people or animals unattended in parked vehicles.
The burst of thunderstorms is a typical consequence of prolonged periods of intense heat. As hot, humid air becomes increasingly unstable, it can rapidly develop into heavy showers and thunderstorms capable of producing large amounts of rain in a short period of time.
Northern Ireland is also under a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning until 10am on Friday, with the UK Met Office warning that heavy showers could cause disruption in some areas.
French authorities banned public alcohol consumption in Paris and warned hospitals faced "saturation", echoing warnings from health authorities around Europe as it baked in a deadly heatwave on Thursday. https://t.co/wkfY4yTj99 pic.twitter.com/N0EMbNXyi1
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 25, 2026
The unsettled weather arrives as much of Europe continues to endure an extraordinary heatwave that has shattered temperature records across the continent.
A new rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution found the current European heatwave is the most severe ever recorded in the region and concluded it would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change. The scientists said that if a similar event had occurred around 50 years ago, temperatures across Europe would have been approximately 3.5C cooler.
The report also found that Europe's hottest daytime temperatures are rising three times faster than the global average, while overnight temperatures are increasing at twice the global rate.
Nearly half of the 854 cities analysed across 30 European countries — including five on the island of Ireland — have already broken, or are expected to break, their highest-ever recorded heat stress levels.
Researchers warned that prolonged heat remains one of Europe's deadliest weather hazards. More than 60,000 heat-related deaths were estimated across the continent in 2022, followed by another 47,000 in 2023, with older people, those living alone, people with chronic illnesses, homeless people and disadvantaged communities among those most at risk.
