Slap on the suncream tomorrow because temperatures could soar to over 25C as the hottest day of the year sparks another feelgood weekend.
Retailers predict a surge in sales of BBQs, ice creams, and booze – but water safety campaigners are urging sunseekers to be extra careful around open water and Irish Water warned about conserving resources.
Met Eireann has forecast a “dry, warm, and sunny” Friday morning across large swathes of the country as Ireland gets a warm glow from the heatwave that is sending temperatures soaring to 40C in Madrid.
Temperatures will be a more pleasant 25C in some parts, according to RTE’s new weather presenter Bonnie Diamond, but could be 10C higher in the sun.
Met Eireann’s latest forecast for Friday states: “Dry, warm and sunny to start across south Leinster and south Munster.
“Cloudier and cooler elsewhere with persistent rain over the north and west, sinking further south-eastwards through the day.
“Parts of the south and southeast will stay dry. Highest temperatures of 15C to 19C = generally, but reaching 20C to 24C degrees in the south and southeast in the early afternoon.
“Becoming mostly dry on Friday night with clear spells developing with lowest [night-time] temperatures of 8C to 11C.
“Cloudy conditions will persist on Saturday through much of the day in the southeast with sunshine developing elsewhere, along with isolated showers mostly in the northwest.
“Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C degrees in a moderate north to northwest wind.
“Scattered showers will persist along Atlantic coasts on Saturday night with a mix of cloud and clear spells elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 7C to 9C.
“Sunny spells and isolated showers on Sunday morning will give way to a mostly dry and sunny afternoon with highest temperatures of 14C to 18C.
“Turning chilly on Sunday night under clear skies with temperatures down to 6C to 9C.
“Monday will be mainly dry with good spells of sunshine. Temperatures are expected to reach 21 degrees in the afternoon widely across the country.
“Current indications suggest next week will continue somewhat unsettled.
Temperatures will be closer to normal for the time of year.”
Water Safety Ireland told the Irish Mirror that nine people die in Ireland on average every month due to drowning.
It yesterday warned as part of National Water Safety Awareness Week, which runs until this Sunday, that over 1,000 victims have drowned across the country over the last 10 years.
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WSI chief Roger Sweeney chief, in conjunction with the Irish Coastguard and the RLNI, urged bathers to be careful.
Roger said: “Some 79 people drowned in 2021 and 76 drowned in 2020. A total of 1,108 drowned in the last 10 years, an average of nine every month.”
He added: “Alcohol is a factor in one third of drownings and should never be consumed before any aquatic activity as it can lead to someone overestimating their ability and underestimating the risks.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson at Irish Water said: “As we move into the warmer days of summer, we are asking people to take some simple steps to reduce their water use to ensure that we have adequate supplies for everyone over the coming months.”
With temperatures sizzling, Tesco customers bought extra ice cream, BBQ products, and party food like beef burgers and tequila and lime chicken steaks.
A spokesperson said: “With temperatures set to rise, we’re expecting to see an increased demand for the summer.”
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