TODAY is set to be the hottest day of the year so far with Met Éireann predicting that temperatures in Donegal could reach thirty degrees.
The tropical weather comes with an appeal for people to exercise caution at all times in and around water.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday meteorologist Aoife Kealy said the status yellow high temperature warning will remain in place until midnight on Tuesday.
“Temperatures will reach between 27 and 29 degrees in Donegal on Monday. It will be the hottest day of the year so far,” she said.
“People should take extra care when they are out and about and if they are in or around water.”
The warning comes as there have been a number of drownings in other parts of the country in the last week. A teenage boy died after getting into difficulty while swimming at a Dublin beach last Sunday, a man in his forties died after getting into difficulty in the water off the coast of Clare and a man in his sixties died in a tragic accident at a lake in County Laois on Saturday.
The extremely warm weather has also led Donegal County Council to issue an appeal over wildfires. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued an orange fire danger notice which remains in place until midday on Wednesday.
“Landowners and members of the public are urged to be vigilant and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the fire service by dialling 999 or 112,” said a spokesperson for Donegal County Council.
“The Council is also urging landowners and members of the public not to engage in activities that could cause wildfires.
“House holders or building owners in areas susceptible to wildfire are advised to remove or cut back any vegetation in the immediate vicinity of their house, building or oil tank to prevent wildfires damaging or destroying their property.”
Irish Water is asking customers, particularly in east Donegal, to be mindful of how they use their water at home, as the temperature rises. Over the weekend a water tanker had to be brought in at Killygordon due to a shortage of water in the area.
Seamus O’Brien, Irish Water, said: “We are appealing to the public in Bohanboy, Mullingar and surrounding areas to be mindful of how they use their water at home, as the temperature is set to soar. We are appealing to customers to help conserve water by not running taps needlessly, taking showers instead of baths and to postpone using dishwashers and washing machines where possible.”
Met Éireann’s Aoife Kealy said temperatures will remain high overnight on Monday into Tuesday staying around 15 degrees. Temperatures will begin to drop back on Tuesday as a cooler air mass will arrive.
“It will feel a good bit cooler on Tuesday. There will be a ten degree drop in temperatures from Monday and Tuesday,” said Aoife.
“A cooler air mass will move in on Tuesday and temperatures will be closer to normal temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees. From Wednesday to Friday it will be a sharp contrast from the weather on Monday.”
During the warm spell the ISPCA has reminded pet owners to keep their pets cool, hydrated and in the shade.
ISPCA Public Relations Manager, Carmel Murray said: “Refresh and refill your pets water dish more often than on a normal day and keep it in the shade.”
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