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LAST UPDATE | 22 Jun
MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Yellow high temperature warning for Ireland from Tuesday until Friday, warning the “exceptionally warm weather” may cause heat stress, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and water safety issues.
The warning comes into effect from 12pm on Tuesday and expires at 9am on Friday.
In a weather advisory issued this morning, Met Éireann said daytime temperatures will exceed 25 degrees, with temperatures possibly hitting 30 degrees on Thursday.
The weather is expected to be “very mild, humid and possibly uncomfortable at night” as temperatures will generally stay above 15 degrees. Thunderstorms are possible also, particularly on Thursday.
Met Éireann forecaster Ailis Hankinson told The Journal that a “plume of hot humid air” that’s currently causing high temperatures in Europe is what’s causing the heat in Ireland too.
Much of Europe is preparing for temperatures to intensify even further in the coming days, with some countries taking special measures to mitigate its effects. The UK’s meteorological office issued the highest level of heat warning for parts of England for Wednesday and Thursday.
In France, 49 of the country’s 96 mainland departments were on the highest heat alert, with temperatures forecast to climb up to 43C in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, while in Spain, temperatures are forecast to reach 44C in some areas.
🔴🟠Les températures montent encore d’un cran à partir d’aujourd’hui pour atteindre un “plateau” très élevé au moins jusqu’à jeudi. De nombreux départements sont en Vigilance canicule rouge ou orange.
— Météo-France (@meteofrance) June 21, 2026
Le point complet 👉 https://t.co/tmD15ys43p pic.twitter.com/uyoTVZ5Fsk
Hankinson said it will be “especially warm and humid” in Ireland over the coming days.
“It’s going to be really muggy. It’s going to be really humid. On Thursday in particular, it’s not going to feel the nicest,” she said.
She said that nighttime is going to be “quite uncomfortable”, as temperatures won’t drop below 15 degrees for many areas, and some areas may even be hit with tropical nights, which is when the temperature doesn’t drop below 20 degrees.
“With that humidity, it could lead to some uncomfortable sleeping conditions,” Hankinson said.
However, the forecaster said it’s unlikely temperatures will reach the threshold to be called a heatwave.
In Ireland, a heat wave occurs when the temperature at one weather station is above 25 degrees for five or more consecutive days – something Hankinson does not expect to happen this week.
“We could see four days reaching above 25 degrees at one station at the moment, it’s too soon to say whether we’ll see the five days, because temperatures on Friday are currently looking like they’ll dip back below 25 degrees for most places,” she added.
The forecaster said the warm weather will likely break, and unsettled conditions will set in after temperatures peak on Thursday and thunderstorms arrive.
Hankinson advised the public to be safe around water and be sun smart, as UV levels are going to be high.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) is coordinating with stakeholders such as the HSE and the coastguard to prepare for the high temperatures.
While it advises only swimming at a lifeguarded waterway, this won’t be possible as local authorities only staff the weekends in June.
Keith Leonard, the NDFEM’s director, said that while many welcome warm weather, it also brings risks “that may not always be obvious or anticipated”.
“The public should plan ahead, keep up to date with Met Éireann forecasts and warnings, and take appropriate precautions in relation to heat, water safety, thunderstorms and the possibility of localised flooding.”
Meanwhile, Labour workers’ rights spokesperson Senator Nessa Cosgrove has called on the government to “urgently introduce legally defined maximum temperature limits” for workplaces.
She said the lack of a legally defined maximum temperature limit is a “gap in our health and safety framework” and pointed to laws around maximum temperatures in other European countries.
“We need comprehensive legislation to prevent occupational heat stress, ensure fair and safe working conditions, and enforce employer responsibilities. Workers deserve protection, and the time to act is now,” she said.
During warm spells, experts advise people to take extra precautions in the heat, sun and around water to protect themselves, their families and their pets.
Today the Road Safety Authority (RSA) asked road users to be cautious on the roads.
They said drivers should reduce the risk from sun glare by wearing sunglasses and being aware of the dangers of sun glare when travelling east in the mornings and west later in the day.
Pedestrians, people who cycle, e-scooter users and motorcyclists, are also warned to beware of the dangers that sun glare can cause, especially when crossing the road and at junctions.
The RSA advised drivers to ensure they have enough drinking water in the car, their windscreens are clear of grease or grime, and they have plenty of window washer fluid. They are also advised to watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
The week is to be dry with mild nights and temperatures continuing to increase, possibly hitting 30 degrees Thursday. More unsettled conditions are expected for Friday and the weekend.
Met Éireann has said today will be “warm or very warm”, with highest temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees expected.
Good spells of sunshine will become more widespread through this afternoon. It will largely be dry, however, a few sharp thundery showers are possible, mainly in the south and east.
Tonight will be mild, dry and largely clear with fog patches developing. Temperatures will not fall below 12 to 17 degrees.
It will be dry for most of Tuesday with long spells of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 22 to 28 or 29 degrees are expected, warmest in the south and east.
Tuesday night will be dry and mostly clear at first, but a few spots of light rain or drizzle are possible in the northwest. Temperatures will not fall below 13 to 18 degrees.
Wednesday will start off cloudy, but it will break up through the day with spells of sunshine developing with a few showers. Highest temperatures of 22 to 29 degrees are expected.
Wednesday night will bring a mix of cloud and clear spells. Temperatures will not fall below 13 degrees in the north and 18 or 19 degrees in the southwest.
Thursday is expected to be a hot day. The day will start off mostly dry and sunny, but a few showers may break out, potentially heavy and thundery, especially in the northwest in the evening. Highest temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees are expected.
It will turn cloudier overnight with patchy rain and drizzle. Temperatures will not fall below 15 to 19 degrees.
On Friday, there will be a mix of cloud and sunshine with showery rain, heaviest and most persistent for the western half of the country. Highest temperatures of 19 to 25 degrees are expected.
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