The joint second-highest temperature in Irish history – and hottest ever in Dublin – is very much upon us.
Well, it's official. It's a scorcher.
Today (Monday 18 July, 2022) is one of the
single hottest days in Ireland's history, as Phoenix Park provisionally reached a stunning 33.0 degrees Celsius on Monday (18 July).
The sweltering conditions represent the joint second-highest recorded temperature in Irish history, the highest temperature of the 21st century so far in Ireland, and the hottest day of all time in
Dublin.
The previous Dublin record was 31 degrees which was recorded in Casement Aerodrome in 2006.
https://twitter.com/METclimate/status/1549039962049630208
Met Éireann issued a nationwide Status Yellow High Temperature Warning last Friday morning, and the alert is currently valid until midnight on Tuesday.
"On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees generally and possibly up to 32 degrees in places on Monday," the forecaster said.
A second Status Yellow warning is in place for the entirety of Leinster, which comes into effect from midnight on Tuesday and will remain in place until 7pm that evening.
Daytime temperatures of 25 to 28 degrees are expected, with high impacts of heat stress – especially for the more vulnerable members of the population – and a risk of water-related incidents highlighted, alongside a high solar UV index.
As of Monday afternoon, temperatures have not yet broken the record for the hottest day in the country since records began. The original record was previously set way back in June 1887, when a temperature of 33.3 degrees was recorded in Kilkenny.
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has teamed up with Healthy Ireland to deliver the '
five S's' in order to help people stay safe in the days ahead. That advice is as follows:
- Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as long sleeves, collared t-shirts.
- Slop on sunscreen on sun-exposed areas using SPF minimum 30+ for adults and 50+ for children which has high UVA protection and is water-resistant. Re-apply regularly. Sunscreen cannot provide 100% protection, it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade.
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat.
- Seek shade such as sitting in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
- Slide on sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes.
In addition, the HSE is urging people to not deliberately try and get a suntan, avoid getting sunburn and never use a sunbed during these strong conditions.
