Highs of 31C as heat warning in place for 13 counties

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow heat warning for 13 counties in Leinster and Co Tipperary, with temperatures expected to reach 31C. The warning, in effect from 6am yesterday until 6am tomorrow, advises people to be cautious of heat stress, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, water safety risks due to increased beach, lake and river usage, and animal welfare concerns.

Senior forecaster Gerry Murphy emphasized the severity of this alert, noting it's shorter than earlier heatwave warnings but still poses significant risks. Yesterday, temperatures hit 30C at Oak Park in Co Carlow and Casement Aerodrome in Dublin, marking the fourth consecutive month with a primary weather station in Ireland reaching 30C.

The longest previous streak was two months, in 1976 and 2022. A national water conservation order from Uisce Éireann remains active until 26 August, as many water schemes face shortages and low reservoir levels due to prolonged periods of low rainfall.