AS the sun blazed over the Shannon this morning, Met Éireann was issuing a high temperature warning for Limerick and a number of surrounding counties.
Met Éireann is forecasting highs of 30 degrees in Limerick City from 3pm this Tuesday afternoon, with Wednesday expected to peak at 31 degrees on Wednesday.
Similar sweltering temperatures are expected in the county today with 29 degrees predicted in Newcastle West, Adare, Rathkeale, Bruff, and 28 degrees in Abbeyfeale, Foynes, and Castleconnell.
The weather service issued a Status Yellow high temperature warning for Limerick, urging care in “maximum temperatures in excess of 27 degrees, combined with night-time minima in excess of 15 degrees”.
Potential impacts of the hot spell, according to Met Éireann, include water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches; the possibility of forest fires; uncomfortable sleeping conditions; and heat stress.
The Status Yellow warning was put in place at 9.35am this morning and will be in place until 6pm on Wednesday.
Counties impacted by the warning include Limerick, Clare, Kerry, Tipperary, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, and Offaly.