LAST UPDATE | 14 Jul

THE NATIONAL SEVERE Weather and Flood Coordination Group met today as the spell of hot weather continues to grip the entire country.

The warm temperatures are set to continue for the rest of the week, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 30C tomorrow.

There’s currently a Status Yellow high temperature warning in place for six counties (Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Clare and Mayo). The warning will be in effect until 7am Wednesday.

Tonight meanwhile will remain unusually warm, with overnight temperatures only falling to between 13 and 19C.

Tomorrow is expected to be even hotter, with another high temperature warning kicking in from 7am.

The warning will cover all of Connacht and Munster, as well as counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan and Donegal. It will remain in place until 6am on Friday. 

Highs of between 24 and 30C are expected, and Met Éireann has warned of heat stress, wildfire risks and possible thunderstorms.

The National Severe Weather and Flood Coordination Group has also warned of potential wildfires and forest fires, as well as animal welfare issues, drought conditions and potential disruption to public transport. 

Minister James Brown stated that while “many people understandably welcome this period of warm weather, it is also placing additional pressure on many people, services and on our local water supplies and we have to respond to that”.

He encouraged the public to “look out for anyone who may need assistance” and called on people to “take the time to check on the older people in your life and those who may be vulnerable or unwell”.

“Given this country is not used to weather spells like this, we can’t take things for granted,” said Browne.

“From wearing sunscreen whenever you’re outside and staying hydrated, to being careful around the sea, our rivers and lakes, please take care.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the RNLI are urging the public to stay safe and noted that water safety is “not just about swimming or water sports”.

Drowning data shows that most accidental drownings (65%) follow land-based activities such as walking, angling, cycling, or simply spending time near the water.

Forecast

While Wednesday morning will be largely dry and sunny, scattered heavy showers are expected to develop across parts of Munster and Connacht later in the day, with the possibility of isolated thunderstorms.

The settled conditions are forecast to continue for the remainder of the week, with temperatures generally staying between 24 and 29C before easing slightly over the weekend.

The warning says temperatures above 27C, combined with overnight lows remaining above 15C, could lead to uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress, drought, forest fires and increased water safety risks as more people head to beaches, lakes and rivers.

A nationwide weather advisory also remains in place until Friday, with Met Éireann warning that temperatures will continue to widely exceed 25C in many areas and that UV levels will remain high to very high.

The forecaster said the hot spell will continue into the weekend and could see heavy showers or isolated thunderstorms develop on Wednesday. 

Hosepipe ban

The prolonged dry spell is also placing increasing pressure on water supplies.

Uisce Éireann is due to introduce a six-week hosepipe ban from midnight on Thursday covering Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, south Tipperary and parts of coastal Wexford.

The utility said water demand in the Greater Dublin Area has risen by around 20% during the recent warm weather, with usage reaching almost 700 million litres on some days.

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Customers in the affected areas will be prohibited from using hoses for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars or cleaning driveways, as Uisce Éireann attempts to protect drinking water supplies.

Nighttime water restrictions also remain in place in around 40 locations nationwide, with the utility urging households across the country to conserve water while the hot weather continues.

Animal welfare

Amid the hot weather, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD has said it’s important that farmers, horse and pet owners “take steps to protect their charges” to avoid any serious health and welfare problems. 

He urged them to ensure animals have plenty of drinking water and access to suitable shade or shelter, adding that vulnerable animals such as very young, old or sick animals may need to be moved to somewhere where they can be monitored more closely.

He also stressed that transport of animals should be minimised or avoided where possible, as movement or handling of cattle and other animals during hot weather can increase their body temperature and cause heat stress. 

Housed species like pigs and poultry should be checked more frequently to monitor their temperature, as well as livestock. Animals at higher risk of heat stress include young, dark-coloured or pregnant animals, animals recovering from illness, pigs and high-producing dairy cows.

Signs of heat stress in animals include faster breathing or panting, loss of appetite, increased water intake, drooling, listlessness or lethargy. In severe cases, animals may become unconscious.

Anyone who suspects an animal may be heat stressed should immediately move them to shelter, offer them cool water, use sprinklers or allow them to stand in cool water and increase ventilation for housed species. If there is no improvement, they should seek veterinary assistance immediately. 

Pet owners should also ensure they have plenty of drinking water and access to shade, never leave them unattended in a car and exercise them in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and bring water for them to drink. 

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