Ireland will remain in a spell of unusually warm weather until Friday, with daytime temperatures forecast to reach as high as 29C and nights staying uncomfortable in many areas, the national forecaster has said. The pattern is driven by a ridge of high pressure currently over the country, which is expected to break down from the west as low pressure edges in from the Atlantic.
What to expect through the week
Met Éireann says the warm conditions begin immediately, with much of today feeling notably warm and temperatures reaching about 27C in parts of the east. By Wednesday, seesawing highs of around 28C are likely, while Thursday has the potential to be the hottest day when some locations could reach 29C.
- Daytime: widespread warmth, peak values of 27–29C in central and eastern counties;
- Nights: muggy conditions with lows broadly between 14C and 18C, prompting a review of a Status Yellow night-time warning;
- Rain and storms: generally limited but with some showers moving in from the west and a risk of thunderstorms on Thursday;
- Weekend: outlook more uncertain — Saturday may have sunny spells and scattered showers, Sunday could be the wetter day as Atlantic influence increases.
Met Éireann has described conditions in some areas as "very warm" and is monitoring overnight humidity that could make sleeping uncomfortable for many people. The forecaster cautions that while the warm plume is currently strong, confidence falls for details beyond Friday as Atlantic systems become more influential.
"very warm"
Practical impacts and advice
The combination of high daytime temperatures and muggy nights can affect health, sleep and energy demand. Public health and weather services advise people to take straightforward precautions:
- Keep hydrated and avoid heavy exercise during the hottest part of the day;
- Protect vulnerable people — infants, older adults and those with long‑term conditions — from prolonged heat exposure;
- Use shading, fans or cool rooms at night where possible to aid sleep; open windows late evening or early morning to flush warm air if safe to do so;
- Be alert to the risk of isolated thunderstorms, which can bring sudden heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds.
There is also a direct water-supply consequence. Uisce Éireann has extended the national water conservation measures, meaning the current hosepipe ban will remain in force until 26 August. The utility says several schemes are still experiencing low reservoir levels after prolonged drier-than-average conditions.
Regional notes and wider context
While the heat is most pronounced in eastern and central parts of the country, the Atlantic seaboard will see more cloud and the first showers. Met Éireann warns that western and northwestern counties should prepare for scattered rain at times before the weekend, when a clearer transition to cooler, wetter weather is possible as low pressure from the Atlantic advances.
| Period | Key expectation |
|---|---|
| Today–Wednesday | Warm to very warm, highs around 27–28C; muggy nights |
| Thursday | Warmest day for many, isolated thunderstorms possible |
| Friday–Weekend | Cooling trend with increasing showers; weekend outcome less certain |
Across the Irish Sea, parts of the UK are already operating under amber heat‑health alerts as significant heat affects much of England, a reminder that this summer's heat has been widespread across western Europe. For Ireland, the immediate message is clear: enjoy the warm, settled conditions while planning for a gradual change to cooler and more unsettled weather from the Atlantic beyond Friday.
The forecast is subject to change as Atlantic systems approach; Met Éireann will update warnings and advice where necessary.
