ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL data, Ireland missed out on matching a record heatwave on Saturday as temperatures fell below 25 degrees in some parts of the country. 

Met Éireann defines a heatwave as five or more consecutive summer days above 25 degrees.

The longest heatwave on record for Ireland was 14 days from August 14-27 1976 at both Birr Castle, Co Offaly and Ballybrittas, Co Laois.

This heatwave was almost matched in Moore Park, Co Cork which entered the weekend on a long streak of days above 25 degrees, with Saturday potentially becoming the 14th in a row.

However, the 50-year record remains unbroken as Moore Park recorded a provisional high of 24.9C at 3pm and which appeared set to cool off thereafter.

A nationwide high-temperature advisory still remains in place until the end of the weekend.

Potential ongoing impacts of the period of high temperatures and dry conditions include water safety issues, heat stress and dehydration, and potential disruption to public transport.

Met Éireann has raised concerns around animal welfare issues, drought concerns, wildfires and forest fires.

Weather for the week

Today will be dry with spells of sunshine and will be hazy at times. The temperatures will fall slightly, with the highest temperatures of 20 to 26 degrees.

The north and northwest coasts will be cooler, with the highest temperatures set to be between 17 and 20 degrees.

By Monday morning, it will be cloudier overall. The southern half of the county will still enjoy sunny spells, but patches of drizzle will break in elsewhere.

Tuesday will see cloud extend from the northwest through the morning, which will  bringing a little drizzle. Better sunny spells will develop through the afternoon and evening though it will remain mostly cloudy in the north and northwest.

The highest temperatures will be 16 to 19 degrees. 

Wednesday’s weather will be similar, with most places away from the south becoming cloudy for a time in the morning with drizzle possible in some parts.

The cloud will be most persistent in the northwest through the day with sunny spells developing elsewhere. Highest temperatures ranging from 17 to 19 degrees in the northwest to 24 or 25 degrees in the southeast, all in light to moderate north to northwest winds.

 Again, Thursday will be largely cloudy for the morning with a little drizzle possible.

However, better sunny spells are likely to develop through the afternoon and evening.

The highest temperatures on Thursday will be between 18 and 24 degrees generally, and will be warmest in the southeast.

– Additonal reporting from PA