High temperatures are forecast for the coming week, with a peak of 30C expected on Thursday.
Met Éireann has said that today will be hot and humid with highest temperatures of 27C, and temperatures in the high 20s can be expected across the country at the start of the week, reports RTE.
The forecaster says that some very warm or even hot days are to come, with Tuesday expected to be warmest in the south and southeast counties, with highs of 21 to 27C.
Wednesday will see highest temperatures ranging from the mid- to high-20s, reports RTE.
A hot and humid day with the chance of some heavier showers is forecast for Thursday with highs of 24 to 30C.
People are reminded to be sun-smart and stay safe if heading to the coast and waterways, reports RTE.
Met Éireann meteorologist Mark Bowe said counties in the northwest are likely to experience some of the highest temperatures this week.
“The warmest of the temperatures will generally be held inland,” he said. “We are going to see the warmest temperatures really around the northwest, so around parts of Connacht. Generally coastal areas, because of an onshore breeze, will take temperatures back down a little bit but really central counties and counties in the northwest are going to see the highest of those temperatures,” reports RTE.
He explained that temperatures are expected to rise steadily this week from the mid to late 20s and possibly reach 30 degrees by Thursday.
“That is about 7 or 8 degrees above average for this time of year,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr Bowe said the forecast shows sunshine is expected to continue until Thursday or Friday but there are signs the weather could become unsettled by the weekend.
He explained how the current warm air over Europe is moving up and over Ireland, resulting in higher than usual temperatures here, reports RTE.
Last month Ireland experienced its hottest May on record when a high of 30.9C was recorded in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, and Clonmel, Co Tipperary on 25 to 26 May.
Meanwhile, in the UK the Met Office said the heat is expected to peak at about 35C on Tuesday and Wednesday, sparking weather warnings, health alerts and concerns for vulnerable people, reports RTE.
Forecasters said there is “growing confidence” this week could break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, which was set in 1976 in Southampton.
Elsewhere, mainland Europe is also sweltering under the heatwave, with temperatures forecast to hit 37C in Rome and 39C in Madrid tomorrow, reports RTE.
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