TEMPERATURES skyrocketed to a record-breaking 31.8C today, with the centre of the country in Westmeath and Offaly bearing the brunt of the heatwave.
Coastal areas in Dublin and Clare weren’t far behind, with Met Eireann recording a searing 29C in both counties.
Temperatures reached a near-record-breaking 30C[/caption]
In Carlow, temperatures hit a boiling 30.1C whilst those in Westmeath and Sligo basked in Mercury that maxed out at 30C.
It’s close to the hottest the country has ever been, with the warmest day on record being June 26, 1887, when Kilkenny Castle recorded a blazing 33.3C heat.
Sun worshippers were out in force at beaches across the country, including Sandycove in Dublin where thousands enjoyed the rays.
And Irish people were also enjoying the sunny spell across the water with revellers in Ireland footie jerseys spotted at The Script performance at the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow.
But following what weather bosses called “the hottest day of the year” in Ireland, sunworshippers have been warned that the scorcher is not going to last as weather bosses predicted an end to the sunny weather next week.
Met Eireann’s Liz Walsh said tomorrow will see “long spells of sunshine” before a more unsettled third week of July.
The top forecaster said: “Largely dry and fine to begin with long spells of sunshine and mostly light winds.
“Cloud will build from the west with showers pushing in across west Munster in the morning extending into Connacht and western parts of Leinster during the afternoon and evening though.
“A very warm or hot day with temperatures between 22C to 29C and light to moderate south to south east variable breezes.”
But the warm weather is likely to bring thunderstorms with it, with Met Eireann predicting that tomorrow will see “heavy and thunder downpours”.
Yellow weather alerts are in place from 3pm until 10pm tomorrow in Connacht due to searing temperatures and thunderstorms, with weather bosses warning of spot flooding and lightning damage.
Monday and Tuesday are set to bring cooler weather with cloud and heavy showers.
The Met Eireann expert predicted: “A band of rain will clear northern parts of the country on Monday morning followed by a mixture of sunshine and showers, some of them heavy.
“Tuesday will be cloudier overall with showery outbreaks of rain.”
The top temperature on both days is predicted to be 16C to 20C.
STAY SAFE ALERT
Meanwhile, Tainiste Simon Harris has urged Irish citizens abroad to “make the right memories” this summer following a rise in consular cases and reports of extreme weather in Europe.
The Foreign Affairs and Trade minister said there has been an 11 per cent increase in the number of times the Irish embassy has stepped in to help out Irish nationals abroad.
And ongoing heatwaves, with temperatures as high as 40C, as well as wildfires, are leading to increased health risks.
The Fine Gael leader said: “My Department, through its network of Embassies and Consulates abroad, as well as a dedicated team in Dublin, offers 24-hour assistance for Irish citizens…requiring help when abroad.
“We have seen a significant increase in consular cases, and while most trips go smoothly, many people are encountering difficulties that may be avoided with better preparation or awareness.
“My Department’s summer campaign is about empowering citizens, particularly young people who may be travelling overseas independently for the first time after finishing school or college.
“With dangerously high temperatures across Europe, I am asking our young people to look out for themselves and each other.”
