High Temperature Warning Issued for Most of Ireland
A high temperature warning is in place for most of Ireland, with a hosepipe ban set to begin later this week as the hot spell continues. The Status Yellow high temperature warning is active for six counties in the west and south-west on Tuesday, according to Met Éireann.
Maximum temperatures are expected to exceed 27°C, with minimums of 15°C, in counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, and Clare. The warning extends to counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, and all of Munster and Connacht from Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning.
Potential Risks and Areas Affected
Met Éireann warned that the exceptionally warm weather could lead to water safety issues, heat stress, forest fires, or uncomfortable sleeping conditions. However, no warnings are in place for counties Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Meath, Louth, or Monaghan.
Hosepipe Ban from Thursday
A six-week hosepipe ban comes into effect in some parts from Thursday, prohibiting activities such as watering gardens, cleaning cars with hoses, and filling paddling pools. Uisce Éireann, the Irish national water utility, confirmed the water conservation order will apply to Dublin, south Tipperary, and parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford, and Wicklow until August 26.
The utility stated that the order is necessary to protect public water supplies for essential purposes amid exceptionally warm weather, which has led to significantly increased water use. This has placed sustained pressure on water treatment plants, reservoirs, and the wider network. The water conservation order prohibits non-essential water use by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities. Breaches could result in a fine of up to 5,000 euros.
Outside the affected areas, Uisce Éireann is appealing to all customers nationwide to reduce non-essential water use while supplies remain under pressure.
