LAST UPDATE | Jul 23rd 2021, 4:45 PM

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Orange thunderstorm and rain warning for three counties this evening as warm temperatures continue.

A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning will be in place for the entire country from 7-8pm this evening.

The orange warning is in place from now until 7pm for counties Galway, Clare and north Tipperary. 

Met Éireann said there will be a line of intense thunderstorms moving through parts of these counties. There will be lighning, hail and toreential downpairs causing localised flooding in places. 

The forecaster said driving conditions will be “very hazardous”. 

Counties most at risk during the yellow warning are Wicklow, Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

The warning will remain in place until 8pm today.

Heat ranging from 27 to 30 degrees is expected throughout the day with slightly cooler temperatures in east Leinster and south Munster where highs of 24 to 26 degrees are forecast due to a moderate easterly breeze.

It will be “humid and warm” tonight as temperatures won’t fall below 15 degrees.

The ongoing heatwave means that the Status Yellow high temperature weather warning for the entire country has been extended. It was due to expire this evening but will now be in place until 9am tomorrow. 

The Status Orange weather warning for Cavan, Monaghan, south Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, and Westmeath will lift at 9am today and will revert to a Yellow warning as with the rest of the country. 

The country saw another rarity when its first ‘tropical night’ for 20 years was recorded on Wednesday. Last night was the first time a tropical night was recorded in Ireland two nights in a row.

Another tropical night at Valentia Observatory, Kerry, as temperatures overnight didn't fall below 20.2°C. 🌡️ 🥵

This is the first time a #TropicalNight has been recorded in Ireland for 2 nights in a row. 📈 pic.twitter.com/rCRGzQkx2I

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) July 23, 2021

The term is used when the temperature does not fall under 20 degrees Celsius during the night time. 

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Tropical nights are rare in Ireland, with only six recorded throughout the span of the digital record.

Weekend forecast

Further sunshine is forecast for tomorrow, along with 23 to 26 degrees temperatures  generally, although it will be hazier in the east.

Isolated showers are expected for Munster and Connacht later on Saturday.

The heat wave will continue easing off on Sunday as scattered showers develop in the afternoon, but it will be remain warm with highest temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees.

Some of the coolest temperatures the country has faced over the past 10 days will take hold on Sunday night with a mild 14 degrees forecast.

- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy.