Several counties in Ireland have been placed under a weather warning as a spell of high temperatures has already surpassed previous May records. Provisional data from Met Eireann on Tuesday recorded temperatures of 30.5°C.
Yellow Weather Warning Issued
Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, and Offaly were placed under a yellow warning from midday on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday. Met Eireann stated that maximum temperatures would exceed 27°C, with nighttime temperatures remaining above 15°C.
The forecaster warned of potential water safety issues due to increased use of lakes and beaches, the possibility of forest fires, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, and heat stress.
Records Broken at Shannon Airport
Met Eireann reported that its station at Shannon Airport in County Clare logged a May highest temperature of 28.6°C on Monday, surpassing the previous record of 28.4°C set in County Kerry in 1997. On Tuesday, early data indicated that levels were surpassed again, with Shannon Airport recording 30.5°C at 3pm, provisionally a new record.
Unofficial provisional observations from Met Eireann's automatic climate stations (ACS) showed even higher temperatures, with Clonmel ACS recording 30.7°C at 2pm on Tuesday. However, these figures may take longer to verify.
Continued Hot Weather Expected
The forecasting agency said the hot weather would continue into Wednesday, with top temperatures ranging from 22°C to 31°C, hottest in the Midwest and West.
In Northern Ireland, the highest maximum temperature on Monday was 25.8°C recorded at Derrylin, Cornahoule. Tuesday saw highest temperatures in the region between 20°C and 23°C.
