Heatwave officially declared as temperatures hit 25 degrees for fifth day in a row

A heatwave has officially been declared in Ireland.

It's after temperatures have exceeded 25 degrees for the fifth day in a row, with Moore Park in Cork, recording 28.8 degrees on Saturday.

Met Éireann's status yellow temperature warning remains in place until Monday.

The national forecaster expects a number of locations will break the 30 degree mark again today. The highest temperature ever recorded in August of 31.7 degrees was taken on Friday at Oak Park in Co Carlow.

The forecaster is also warning of cloud in some areas, with possible thundery showers and hail around the midlands.

Hot & sunny this afternoon☀️.

Some cloud will bubble up later this afternoon & evening bringing a few showers🌦️, some of these possibly heavy & thundery⛈️ with hail particularly around the midlands.

Highs🌡️ of 26 to 31°C, locally higher in parts of Leinster & Munster. pic.twitter.com/bor3X6yZ8x

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— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 13, 2022

Saturday will be hot and sunny with highest temperatures of 26 to 31 degrees, locally higher in parts of Leinster and Munster.

Some cloud will bubble up later in the afternoon and evening bringing a few showers, some of these possibly heavy and thundery with hail particularly around the midlands.

Most areas will have a light northeasterly wind but there will be a sea breeze and this will keep temperatures slightly lower near coasts.

Saturday night will be warm with temperatures staying above 14 to 19 degrees. Most areas will be dry with clear spells but a few showers possibly continuing for a time early in the night in Ulster and Connacht and some of these may be heavy.

Sunday

Sunday will be another hot day with temperatures reaching 25 to 30 degrees, although it won't be as hot in the north and northwest.

Most parts of the country will be dry and sunny during the morning but there will be a few showers in northern areas, possibly heavy.

Through the course of the afternoon and evening, scattered heavy and thundery showers will develop across the country some of these with hail.

Slow-moving downpours are possible, causing spot flooding. Winds will be light and variable.

The good weather is set to turn to heavy downpours by Monday as the country is set to cool down rapidly to temperatures in the high teens or low twenties.

Water

Meanwhile, high temperatures have prompted water restrictions to prevent a drought.

Irish Water says overnight shutdowns have been introduced in parts of West Cork, Kerry and Galway, with more on the way.

37 water supply plants have been impacted by the hot and dry conditions, and a further 60 are being closely monitored.

With more hot weather due over the weekend and into next week, we're appealing to customers on the Mid Galway Supply to conserve water. See https://t.co/TdT7HvilBg for more. @GalwayCoCo

— Irish Water (@IrishWater) August 12, 2022

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has issued an orange high fire risk warning, effective until Tuesday morning.

The public is reminded not to use barbeques or open fires, especially in wooded or grassland areas.