A Status Yellow High Temperature warning has been issued for Ireland, with Met Éireann forecasting temperatures in excess of 27C in the coming days.
The warning comes into place at 12pm tomorrow and will end at 9am on Friday.
The forecaster warned that there may be water safety issues due to increased use of lakes and beaches, as well as uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress.
It added that maximum temperatures could exceed 27C, combined with night temperatures of over 15C.
Senior Forecaster Gerry Murphy has said the country will see a “short, sharp burst of heat” this week, with highs of 29C on Wednesday and 31C forecast for Thursday.
“There’ll be really very high temperatures right across the country through the week,” Mr Murphy said.
“Certainly a short, sharp burst of heat for the coming days.”
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Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he added that people need to be aware of nighttime temperatures which could reach 13-18C, possibly as high as 19-20C on Thursday night, which could be uncomfortable.
He advised people to be fully hydrated and be careful around waterways and seek shade.
Mr Murphy said that there is potential for thundery showers to push up from the south on Thursday, but that’s not yet certain yet, but if the showers do push up, it may put a cap on temperatures so Thursday temperatures may be revised.
From Friday, temperatures will drop back to high teens or low 20s, and the weather will become more unsettled.