Met Éireann issues Status Yellow drought warning as heatwave temperatures exceed 30 degrees

Met Éireann has issued a drought warning for the week ahead. The Irish Meteorological Service made the announcement this morning, Saturday, June 30 and has warned the drought or near-drought conditions will persist through the coming week until midnight on Friday, July 6. 

DROUGHT WARNING
for Ireland

Drought or near-drought conditions will persist through the coming week.

Valid from Saturday 30 June 2018 10:00 to Friday 06 July 2018 23:59https://t.co/oOxITrsnvw pic.twitter.com/AW1b3yUkvl

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 30, 2018

As heatwave temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius in places yesterday, including Mount Dillon, outside Lanesboro, Met Éireann's Status Yellow high temperature warning remains in place.

Yesterday's Maximum Temperatures at 1800 GMT (between 7am and 7pm local time): pic.twitter.com/9hSzUraMYv

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 30, 2018 

The national forecaster is predicting temperatures in excess of 27 degrees Celsius today Saturday, June 30,  mainly in Connacht, Munster and parts south Leinster.

Cathal Nolan of the Midland Weather Channel says that drought conditions are likely to develop in many areas of the country over the coming week as very dry and hot conditions are expected to continue for at least another two weeks.

He says temperatures will remain well above normal with typical values reaching the high twenties, possibly over thirty in some places over the weekend and particularly during the midweek period of next week.

Also read: Heatwave to continue for weeks, weather forecaster predicts

With the country facing its worst drought since 1976, he also says that a status red warning for wildfires remains in place with forested and open heath ground most susceptible to the risk.

Also read: Emergency water supply arrangements for stricken Longford customers

Also read: Met Éireann extends weather warning as heatwave surges