Make sure you have the sun cream close to hand, as Monday was the joint-hottest day on record for May in this country – and there’s more to come.
A temperature of 28.4C was recorded in Co. Carlow, equalling Ireland’s May record. Met Eireann said the figure was reached at Oak Park. The previous record was set at Ardfert in Co. Kerry on May 31, 1997.
A high of 28C was also reached at Gurteen in Co. Tipperary and Shannon in Co. Clare on Monday.
Forecaster Gerry Murphy said the new record is ‘more likely to be broken’ today as it will be even warmer, especially over the southern half of the country. He said the conditions are due to a large area of high pressure over much of central Europe.
Met Eireann believes the thermometer could go as high as a record-breaking 29C over the next day or two.
People were also warned to use sunscreen whether they’re sunbathing or not over the coming days.
The strong sunshine helped deliver a highest temperature of 24.8C at the weekend in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. But temperatures on Monday were even higher and ranged between 23C and 28C, though it was a little cooler around western and northern coasts.
And what about the June Bank Holiday?
Sadly, it looks like the sunshine will be gone by the June bank holiday that usually marks the start of summer for many. Met Eireann is forecasting the weather will be cooler by then, with showers likely.
Temperatures in the high 20s are unusual for this time of year, but we’ll cool off when rain arrives from the southwest from Thursday.
Meanwhile, firms have been warned that the hot weather can lead to a spike in work absences.
Human resources expert Damien McCarthy said: “Historically in Ireland, extreme hot weather leads to a noticeable spike in workplace
absences and productivity drops.
‘Absences tend to rise due to heat stress in poorly ventilated spaces, commuter delays and the attempt to make the most of the sun-shine, because we never know when we are going to see it again. So, there always chance there are increased “sickies”‘.
