Temperatures may reach 31 degrees today

Temperatures are expected to climb to a maximum of 31 degrees across various regions of the country today. A status-yellow high-temperature warning has been issued for Leinster and Tipperary, effective from 6am on Wednesday and set to continue until 6am on Friday. Met Éireann predicts temperatures may soar to 30 or 31 degrees in these areas during the afternoon of Thursday.

The heatwave could lead to several concerns, including water safety issues due to increased beach, lake, and river usage; uncomfortable sleeping conditions; heat stress; and animal welfare problems. Night-time temperatures are not anticipated to dip below 15 degrees in most areas. The weather will primarily remain dry in Munster and Leinster, although showers are expected to move eastward in the evening.

Hottest temperatures are projected to range from 23 to 30 or 31 degrees, with the peak heat occurring further east. Coastal parts of the west and southwest will see temperatures closer to 20 degrees, with occasional hill and coastal mist and fog.

Met Éireann warns that Friday will remain warm, but not as scorching, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 24 or 25 degrees in the south and east. Uisce Éireann, Ireland's national water company, has advised that a nationwide hosepipe ban may be extended if the hot weather persists. The ban is currently set to remain in effect until August 26th. Margaret Attridge, head of water operations at Uisce Éireann, suggests that the ban "could potentially be extended" in certain regions.

Attridge spoke on RTÉ Radio’s Drivetime program, stating that while some areas like the northwest have experienced rainfall recently, stabilizing the situation, extending the water conservation order regionally is a possibility. The organization is closely monitoring all water supplies across the country, keeping factors such as weather forecasts, soil moisture deficits, and lake and river sources in mind.

Attridge explained that a brief spell of rain over the next few days would not significantly impact soil moisture levels, thus not aiding in recharging water sources.