Ireland will be hotter than Hawaii at times over the coming days as a ‘mini-heatwave’ takes hold.
Some weather models show the mercury topping Ireland’s 145-year-old record of 33.3C.
Scorching daytime temperatures of up to 29C are forecast for across the country today – with highs of 32C or 33C “possible” on Monday, according to Met Eireann.
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Extremely uncomfortable night-time temperatures could top 20C – meaning Ireland could have rare tropical nights.
A Status Yellow ‘high temperature warning’ has come into force and lasts until Tuesday night.
The alert reads: “On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25C to 30C degrees generally and possibly up to 32C degees in places on Monday. Night time temperatures will range from 15C to 20C.”
It comes as Hawaii can expect daytime highs of just 28C.
The hot weather is not expected to last long, with thunderstorms set to break it on Tuesday.
Giving its forecast for today, the national forecaster said: “Any patchy light rain or drizzle will clear northwards early this morning. Today will be dry and very warm with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 23C to 29C, warmest in the midlands, with light to moderate southerly breezes.
“Tonight will be dry and very mild with temperatures between 14C and 18C. Some patches of mist or fog may form.”
Looking ahead to Monday, it continued: “Monday will be exceptionally warm with temperatures of 27C to 31C or 32C, warmest in the midlands and north Leinster. It will be largely dry with bright or sunny spells and light or moderate southerly or variable breezes.
“Monday night will be warm with temperatures staying above 15C to 18C. It will be mainly dry, but showers will develop in the west by morning.”
Tuesday is set to start off dry, before thunderstorms roll in bringing the ‘mini-heatwave’ to a crashing end.
The State meteorological service said: “Tuesday will continue very warm over the eastern half of the country with highest temperatures of 23C to 27C or 28C. It will be cooler further west with highs of 18C to 22C.
“On Tuesday morning, rain will develop over the western half of the country and will extend eastwards through the afternoon and evening, becoming heavy at times with a possibility of thunderstorms developing.
“On Tuesday night, showers will continue and will gradually clear eastwards overnight. It will be cooler than previous nights with lowest temperatures of 10C to 12C.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, it continued: “Wednesday will see an end to the very warm conditions as temperatures return to more normal values of 16C to 20C. There will be a fair amount of cloud and some scattered showers. A few sunny breaks too and light to moderate northwest breezes.”
The warm weather has yet to be officially declared a heatwave.
Heatwaves are often defined as five days of consecutive above average temperatures, but the Met Eireann definition is five consecutive days of temperatures above 25C.
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