A location in Northern Ireland has reached the highest temperature ever recorded there, according to the Met Office, on what has become the hottest day of the year overall on the island of Ireland.
Ballywatticock, in Co Down, Northern Ireland, reached 31.2C on Saturday.
In the Republic, temperatures were confirmed to have reached over 29 degrees, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
Met Éireann said temperatures had risen to 29 degrees in Athenry, Co Galway.
The forecaster said temperatures had risen to 28.2 degrees at Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon.
Highs of 27.8 degrees have also been recorded at Athenry, Co Galway and 27.5 degrees at the Phoenix Park in Dublin.
Temperatures rose to 27.5 degrees at Mount Dillon on Friday afternoon, which had been the highest temperature of the year to date.
Meanwhile, gardaí have noted "significant traffic congestion" at various beaches and beauty spots on the Co Mayo coast.
Gardaí said Old Head Beach, Roonah Pier, Silver Strand and Carramore should be avoided due to heavy traffic "as car parks are at capacity".
On the Wicklow coast, Brittas Bay and Magheramore beaches should also be avoided "as traffic is moving very slowly" and car parks are full, according to gardaí .
The Department of Agriculture has issued a “condition orange” fire danger notice, meaning there is a high risk of dry materials such as grass, heather and gorse igniting.
It comes as Dublin Fire Brigade continues to fight a gorse fire on Howth Head, where they have cleared a fire break, 30 metres from local houses.
The department’s notice warned all outdoor use of fires, barbecues and other open ignition sources be avoided on forest lands and in other high-risk areas until further notice.
The notice, which is valid until Friday 23rd, continued: “extreme caution is also advised with respect to hay making and the use of machinery and other agricultural activity that may also present a risk of fire in dry vegetation on cultivated land types in current conditions”.
Dry Sunday
In terms of forecast, Saturday is set to be a mostly sunny and very warm day overall, but cloud will linger near northwestern coasts and there is a slight chance of an isolated shower in the south this evening.
Temperatures will only drop to 12 or 13 degrees overnight across Ulster and north Connacht, holding milder elsewhere, with lows not falling below 14 degrees. Some mist and fog will form once again in light northerly or variable breezes.
Sunday will be another dry day with good sunny spells. However, there will be a little more cloud about than on Saturday, bringing the chance of an isolated thundery shower during the evening over the southern half of the country.
Highest temperatures will be between 23 and 27 degrees generally, but cooler in the northwest and along eastern coasts with highs there of 18 to 22 degrees in a light variable breeze with some sea breezes developing also.
It will be dry, warm and largely clear overnight on Sunday with just isolated mist patches forming overnight in light variable breezes.
Monday will be dry in most areas with a few very localised showers that may break out over the south of the country.
Highest temperatures are expected to be between 22 to 27 degrees, with cooler conditions near northern and eastern coasts due to light easterly breezes.
Clear skies
Monday night will be another mild night with mainly clear skies. Temperatures will not fall below 13 to 16 degrees in most areas.
Tuesday will be another mostly dry and sunny day with light southeasterly or variable breezes. Some cloud will appear in the afternoon and a localised thundery shower or two may break out during the evening with highs of 23 to 27 degrees.
Although it will be very warm and sunny on Wednesday, the sunshine may become hazy at times and there is a slight chance of an isolated thundery shower breaking out by evening.
Highest temperatures will be between 24 to 28 degrees generally in mostly light southeasterly breezes.
Most areas will see good clear skies early on Wednesday night, however cloud will increase from the southwest bringing the chance of some light rain or drizzle there by morning.
It will remain very warm and humid overnight with temperatures not falling below 15 degrees generally, some parts of the west may not fall below 17 or 18 degrees in light southeast to east breezes.
There will be more cloud about on Thursday, however it will be mostly high cloud making sunshine hazier than previous days. Highest temperatures will be between 22 to 26 degrees in light to moderate southeasterly breezes.
Overnight temperatures will remain very high with most areas not dropping below the high teens. – Additional reporting: PA
