Get out the sunscreen and plan the perfect siesta as a number of counties in Ireland are expected to reach record temperatures in the next 72 hours.
With Éireann issued a yellow warning for “exceptionally warm weather”, meteorologist Deirdre Lowe said temperatures will bring “warming” and “tropical” nights from 6am this morning.
Irish Water is urging the public to conserve water while also urging people to exercise caution when swimming in the sea and lakes en masse.
Speaking with the Sunday Independent, Ms Lowe said people in the Midlands, north Leinster and south Ulster can expect the highest values.
“Monday will bring peak temperatures in the mid-20s around the coast, and then inland it will be between 27 and 32 degrees,” she said.
Highest temperatures will be experienced in north Leinster, Westmeath, Kildare, Meath, south Cavan and western parts of Dublin – all of which can be expected as high as 32 degrees tomorrow, possibly even breaking 21st century records .
“It is unusual to reach these very high temperatures. The all-time record was 33.3 degrees at Kilkenny Castle in 1887. It may not break that record, but it will probably break local records,’ said Mrs Lowe.
In the 21st century, the highest recorded temperature was 32.3 degrees in Elphin in Co Roscommon.
“That was in 2006. So this intense spell may break that record, maybe not. Some parts of the country are getting the highest temperature ever recorded. It gets really, really hot compared to what we’re used to, so just enjoy it,” said Ms Lowe.
When asked if we can enjoy another hot spell at the end of the month, she said: “It’s too early to say, but it’s not impossible. It hasn’t been a brilliant summer so far, so when we get that heat it’s more appreciated.”
She described why Ireland is going through such an intense period and said the country is enjoying “the warm air being sucked in from the end of the heat wave on the continent”.
“A heat wave is actually defined as five days that are over 25 degrees, so this is more of a short burst of very intense heat and the next few nights can be described as tropical, at 20 degrees.
“It will be very hot on Monday. On Tuesday it looks like stronger thunderstorms will move across the country, so it will still be very warm in the east. Then the cooler air will become widespread on Tuesday evening and it will be much fresher on Wednesday. Then temperatures will return to normal on Wednesday.”
Around the coast tomorrow, Ms Lowe said people will experience a “sea breeze” in the afternoon where it will be a “pleasant” 23 or 24 degrees – but inland it will be “very hot”. Especially tomorrow night it will be very stuffy and humid. Normal sunny temperatures during the Irish summer reach 21, so this is “well above normal”.
The HSE National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) has advised people to follow the ‘Five S’ plan: ‘Slip on clothes’ that covers your skin, such as long sleeves and collared t-shirts; ‘Slop on sunscreen’ with SPF at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children; ‘Slap on a wide-brimmed hat’; ‘Find shade’ to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and ‘Slide on sunglasses’.
Ireland has one of the world’s highest rates of skin cancer, with 13,000 new diagnoses per year.