Met Éireann has issued further heat warnings for several counties in Ireland this week as temperatures are set to remain at heatwave level.
The national forecaster has pinpointed which counties will be the hottest over the coming days, with a record-long heatwave possibly on the cards.
Warnings have already been issued about the piling pressure on Ireland’s water supply, with households being urged to cut back on usage as reservoirs struggle to keep up with soaring demand.
Met Éireann has issued further heat warnings for several counties in Ireland this week. Pic: Getty Images
Uisce Éireann has raised concerns that restrictions may become unavoidable if consumption continues at its current pace.
Met Éireann previously issued a Status Yellow high temperature warning for 13 counties until 7am on Sunday, covering Carlow, Cork, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford.
However, further warnings are now set to come into effect, mainly affecting the west of the country.
Eabha McCann, Sophie Doran and Thomas Hobbs making a splash at Burrow Beach in Dublin. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
A new Status Yellow high temperature warning is for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway and Mayo, coming into effect at 1pm on Monday and running until 7am on Wednesday.
Met Éireann has cautioned that maximum temperatures of over 27C are likely, along with overnight minimum temperatures of over 15C.
Meanwhile, another Yellow heat warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Mayo, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly came into effect at 1pm on Sunday and will end at 7am on Monday.
Further warnings are now set to come into effect, mainly affecting the west of the country. Pic: Getty Images
The prolonged heat is expected to create uncomfortable sleeping conditions and increase the risk of heat-related illness, while authorities are also reminding people to take extra care around beaches, rivers and lakes.
There are further concerns that the dry conditions could increase the danger of forest and vegetation fires.
Uisce Éireann has also said that everyday activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools, washing cars, and power-hosing patios are placing significant strain on the network during peak periods.
On the busiest days, reservoir levels have been falling by as much as 30million litres, highlighting the scale of demand and the need for people to conserve water wherever possible.
The utility is urging the public to avoid unnecessary water use so supplies can be maintained throughout the continuing heatwave.