Hot spell of weather until Friday with highs up to 29C

Ireland is bracing for another hot spell of weather this week with temperatures expected to reach up to 29C by Friday according to Met Éireann. Nights are forecast to be muggy with temperatures remaining between 14C and 18C on Wednesday night. There is a chance of light rain, particularly in the west and southwest, along with possible thunderstorms on Thursday.

The unusually high temperatures are attributed to a high pressure system over Ireland that has moved from the Azores towards the south. Meteorologist Liz Walsh anticipates a change on Friday when low pressure from the Atlantic will bring cooler and wetter conditions. The weather outlook for the weekend remains uncertain with Saturday offering sunny intervals and showers, whereas Sunday could see wetter conditions.

The latest heatwave will commence today with Met Éireann reporting very warm temperatures in parts of the country, with highs up to 27C in the east. The mercury is set to climb further tomorrow with forecasted highs of 28C, with the hottest spell expected in north Leinster. However, rain is expected to move in from the Atlantic, bringing showers to many counties along the west and north.

Thursday is predicted to be another hot day with sunny intervals and nighttime temperatures potentially reaching 18C or 19C. Met Éireann has maintained a Status Yellow weather warning due to the significant nighttime temperatures. The national water conservation order, the hosepipe ban, imposed by Uisce Éireann, will continue for another two weeks, currently set to expire on August 26.

The utility has reported that several water schemes are facing water shortages due to low reservoir levels, a situation exacerbated by prolonged low rainfall levels. Meanwhile, Western Europe is experiencing its hottest June-July on record, and the UK is under an amber heat health alert with temperatures expected to reach the mid-30s across most of England up to Friday.

Authorities have expressed concern over a potential rise in death rates. Over 70% of England is currently experiencing drought conditions according to official reports.