Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far with a temperature of 28.8 degrees recorded in Oak Park, Co Carlow.
Ten weather stations recorded temperatures of at least 25 degrees, including those at Moore Park in Cork, at Mullingar, Shannon Airport, Phoenix Park and Casement Aerodrome in Dublin, Athenry in Co Galway and at Grange in Co Meath.
The weather station at Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon recorded a temperature of 26 degrees while Ballyhaise in Cavan reported a high of 26.5 degrees.
Forecaster Deirdre Lowe said there is some “very warm or hot weather to come over the next few days, with high humidity sparking off some thunderstorms”.
This 20-minute grilled chicken dish will see you through the summer
Playing with fire: King of barbecue Andy Noonan of the Big Grill Festival shares his best tips and recipes
Four barbecue experts cooking up a storm at The Big Grill, and their top recipes
Spiced lamb stuffed flatbreads for a Middle Eastern inspired dinner you can make in minutes
“There will be a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers or thunderstorms,” she said.
The hot weather will continue on Wednesday, when temperatures will reach between 22 and 27 degrees for most, though it will be slightly less warm in coastal areas.
[ How to sleep in the heat: stay calm and ditch the duvetOpens in new window ]
[ How to avoid sunburn, food poisoning, skin rashes and other summer ailmentsOpens in new window ]
Met Éireann said there will be good spells of hazy sunshine, although scattered heavy downpours or thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon and evening, mostly in the west, with some hail and spot flooding possible.
Thursday will also be a very warm or hot day with sunny spells. However, hit or miss heavy showers or thunderstorms are likely to develop during the day. The bulk of these are likely to be over the midlands and west of the county with the potential for localised spot flooding.
Temperatures will largely be between 22 and 26 degrees, with little to no wind. Some showers are expected to move into the south of the country on Thursday night and will then move up over Ireland during Friday.
The showers are not forecast to be quite as intense as those seen earlier in the week, but they will be more widespread and will likely affect eastern parts too. Friday won’t be quite as warm as the preceding days, with more cloud around but some sunny spells at times too. Highest temperatures will be between 19 and 24 degrees.
