A high temperature warning is in place for most of Ireland, with a hosepipe ban to come into effect later in the week as the hot spell continues.
There is a Status Yellow high temperature warning in place for six counties in the west and south-west on Tuesday.
Met Éireann said maximum temperatures would be above 27C, with a minimum of 15C, in counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Mayo and Clare.
The high temperature Status Yellow warning extends to counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal and all of Munster, Connacht from Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning.
The forecaster said this could lead to water safety issues, heat stress, forest fires or uncomfortable sleeping conditions.
There are no weather warnings in place for counties Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Meath, Louth or Monaghan.
A six-week “hosepipe ban” comes into effect in some parts from Thursday, meaning activities such as watering a garden, cleaning a car with a hose, and filling a paddling pool are not allowed.
Irish national water utility company Uisce Éireann confirmed the water conservation order will be in place for Dublin and south Tipperary – as well as parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow – until the end of August 26.
It said the order is being introduced to safeguard public water supplies for essential purposes amid “exceptionally” warm weather, which had led to “significantly increased water use”.
This has placed “sustained pressure” on water treatment plants, reservoirs and the wider network.
The water conservation order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities.
Breaches of the order could result in a fine of up to 5,000 euro.
Outside of the affected areas, Uisce Éireann is appealing to all customers nationwide to reduce non-essential water use while supplies remain under pressure.
