Rainfall warning issued, but weekend heatwave on the way

A thunder and rainfall warning has been issued for Monday, ahead of this weekend’s heatwave.

Met Éireann has announced a status-yellow rainfall and thunderstorm warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Tipperary.

There will be heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms later on Monday afternoon, with a risk of localised flooding.

The warning is valid from 2pm until 10pm.

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However, there is good news for staycationers this weekend as the weather will be sunny and hot, with little chance of rain.

Temperatures will reach the mid-20s and higher.

“We are confident now it’s going to be a hot weekend,” said Paul Downes of Met Éireann.

As the week goes on temperatures will improve, reaching the low- to mid-20s from Wednesday onwards, especially in the east of the country.

“Over the weekend . . . we will have more sunny spells. It’s a bit cloudy at the end of the week, but it will be sunny on Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s, maybe even higher than that,” said Mr Downes.

Monday will also be a good day, with hot weather and sun expected.

Hot July

Mr Downes added that this is the first bout of high-pressure weather Ireland has experienced in a while.

It comes as record high temperatures have been recorded in parts of Canada and the United States.

“One specific weather event can be correlated with climate change, the frequency and distribution of these events are definitely increasing around the world . . . but it’s not uncommon for us to have a hot July either,” Mr Downes said.

“We have a donut of high pressure that’s building up over the country and it will stabilise over the weekend.”

On Friday, the hottest temperatures will be in the south of the country, but it will be warm everywhere. Ulster will experience cooler temperatures.

On Saturday, everywhere will be warm. Sunday will be even hotter again, with the midwest experiencing the highest temperatures.

During the week, there will be patchy rain and drizzle, but the nights and days will begin to get warmer as the week goes on.