LAST UPDATE | 21 Jul 2021

TEMPERATURES HAVE EXCEEDED 30 degrees in Roscommon today, making this the hottest day of the year so far.

In Northern Ireland, the all-time highest temperature record has been provisionally broken for the second time in the space of five days.

Castlederg in Tyrone recorded 31.3 degrees this afternoon, exceeding the 31.2 degrees in Down at the weekend. 

Meanwhile, Mount Dillon weather observing station in Roscommon recorded a temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius today. The same station reached 29.5 degrees yesterday.

Met Éireann said the warm weather is set to continue throughout the week.

A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning is in place from this afternoon until 11pm tonight for counties Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.

There will be localised thunderstorms with a risk of lightning and spot flooding. Some thunderstorms have already been spotted in Donegal and Derry, the forecaster said.

A number of high temperature warnings have also been in place since yesterday.

There is a Status Orange warning for Cavan, Monaghan, south Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath.

In these areas maximum temperatures are due to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in places and overnight temperatures will drop no lower than around 20 degrees.

There is a Status Yellow high temperature warning warning in place for the rest of Ireland. Both weather warnings are to remain in place until 9am Friday.

Met Éireann said tonight will be “uncomfortably warm and humid” with temperatures staying above 17 to 20 degrees for much of the night.

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Tomorrow will again bring highest temperatures of 27 to 30 degrees, with a chance of isolated thundery showers over Ulster.

Temperatures are expected to drop slightly over the weekend, but it will remain warm, between 19 and 25 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.

With the sun out in full force, people are advised to apply reapply sunscreen throughout the day to prevent sunburn. Ensure the sunscreen you use has high UVA and UVB protection.

Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at Irish Cancer Society, said: “We always advise people to put it on at least 20 minutes before going out and use an SPF of at least 30+ for adults, and 50+ for children.”

With reporting by Orla Dwyer