Ireland braces for hottest day of the year as experts warn of large and 'damaging' hail

While the HSE has issued advice on how to cope in the heat, experts have also warned of severe thunderstorms and damaging hail on Thursday evening into Friday morning.

Carlow weatherman Alan O’Reilly has been updating his followers on social media on Thursday morning on the extreme heat as he warned of the possible “damaging” large hail that could be in excess of 5cm along with “intense lightning and flash flooding”.

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Meanwhile, Met Éireann has extended it’s Status Yellow High Temperature Warning until 9am on Saturday, with potential impacts including water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress and a possibility of forest fires.

Giving their five-day-forecast, Met Éireann has said there will be a gradual transition to less warm and humid conditions this weekend as Atlantic influence increases, bringing lower temperatures and more changeable conditions.

Today

Hot and humid across the country today, Thursday. Dry with good sunshine for most but with thunderstorms developing at times, mainly in the west and northwest. Torrential downpours with hail, frequent lightning and gusty winds are all possible if, and where, these occur and will lead to localised flooding.

Highest temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees, possibly higher in some places, with the hottest temperatures expected across the midlands and west. East to southeast breezes will be light to moderate.

A mix of clear spells and showers mainly in the west and northwest at first tonight, spreading elsewhere overnight. Some of the showers will be heavy and possibly thundery with a continuing chance of localised flooding and frequent lightning.

Warm and humid with lowest temperatures of just 17 to 20 degrees for most, but 13 to 16 degrees in parts of the west and northwest, in light, occasionally moderate, northerly winds, becoming gusty in any thunderstorms.

Friday

Continuing warm and humid tomorrow, Friday, with sunny spells and showers. Some of the showers will be heavy and thundery, merging to longer spells of rain at times with localised flooding and frequent lightning possible, particularly across the midlands, west and north.

Cloud, mist and coastal fog will develop near the south coast from late morning. Highest temperatures of 23 to 29 degrees, warmest across the midlands, east and northeast, but a few degrees cooler in the northwest and near the south coast. Northerly breezes will become mostly moderate southerly.

Most of the showers will die out on Friday evening and night leaving clear spells for many, at least for a time. Cloudier conditions near the south coast with patchy rain and drizzle will gradually extend northwards over the country overnight.

Still rather mild and muggy with lowest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees, and moderate southerly winds, fresher on some southern and western coasts.

Saturday

Cloud and outbreaks of rain in the west will gradually spread eastwards over the country on Saturday. Some heavy bursts are possible. There will still be some drier and brighter interludes, these probably at their best in the east and northeast during the morning. Highest temperatures of 17 to 23 degrees, warmest in the east and northeast, with moderate to fresh southerly winds easing light to moderate in the evening.

Cloud and outbreaks of rain will give way to showers and clear spells spreading from the west on Saturday night. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds.

Sunday

Sunday will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, occasionally heavy. The showers will be mainly in the west and north at first but they'll spread elsewhere in the afternoon and evening.

Highest temperatures ranging from 15 degrees in the west to 20 degrees in the east in light to moderate southwest to west winds.

Monday

Current guidance suggests a mix of cloud and hazy sunny spells and just well scattered showers for much of Monday.

Cloud and rain may start to advance from the Atlantic in the evening though. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees. Light to moderate southwest winds will ease light southerly or variable in the evening.

Further Outlook

A changeable Atlantic regime looks set to persist. Temperatures will be near average for the time of year, with values typically in high teens or low 20's.