Ireland is on track for its first summer heatwave with weather models showing a six-day stretch of scorching temperatures
Martin McCullough and Anita McSorley
14:36, 06 Jul 2025
Dust off the suncream(Image: Getty Images)
Ireland could experience its first heatwave of the summer as weather models and Met Eireann’s latest forecast suggest a prolonged period of hot, dry weather is on the way.
The Irish weather service strictly defines a heatwave as “five consecutive days of temperatures above 25C” – and according to the latest weather maps, that threshold could be reached and even exceeded next week. Current models, which are notoriously subject to change, show temperatures starting in the low 20s early in the week before surging higher.
From Wednesday, July 9 through to Monday, July 14, daytime highs could hit or exceed 25C each day. Temperatures of 26C are signalled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – July 9 to 11 – climbing further to a possible 27C on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13.
Weather models show temperatures of 27C are possible in some areas on Sunday, July 13(Image: Netweather.tv)
On Monday, July 14, highs of 26C are again projected, before falling back to the low 20s by Tuesday, July 15. If these projections hold, Ireland would officially meet the criteria for a six-day heatwave.
This outlook comes as Met Eireann issued a major update for next week’s forecast, echoing the warm and settled conditions shown by the models. The national forecaster highlighted both above-average temperatures and below-average rain for the next two weeks.
For the week of Monday, July 7 to Sunday, July 13, Met Eireann said: “This week is showing a slight signal for high pressure building which indicates more settled weather. Temperatures are indicating to be above average for this time of year. Precipitation is likely to be below average especially in parts of the southwest and west of Ireland.”
Weather model showing high temperatures for Ireland on Friday, July 11(Image: meteologix)
The glorious conditions may continue into the following week. In its extended outlook for Monday, July 14 to Sunday, July 20, Met Eireann said: “Confidence is lower in this week but there is still a signal for high pressure over most of Ireland with the exception of the far southwest which is showing no specific marker for either low or high pressure. Temperatures are expected to remain above average with precipitation amounts below average.”
In the shorter term, Ireland will already begin to see the early signs of the warm spell, with mostly dry conditions and rising temperatures heading into the new week.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann said: “Cloudy at first Sunday morning with patches of light rain and drizzle. Brightening up through the afternoon with sunny spells and well scattered showers developing. Breezy in moderate to fresh northwesterly winds. Highest temperatures of 14C in the northwest to 20C in the southeast.
Tomorrow is set to bring more sunshine, with the national forecaster noting: “A dry day Monday with spells of sunshine, though it will be cloudier in north Connacht and Ulster with isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 14C in the northwest to 23C in the southeast in moderate northwest winds.”
Weather models show heatwave level temperatures of 25C starting Wednesday, July 9(Image: Netweather.tv)
For Tuesday, the outlook reads: ” Largely cloudy with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle spreading over the western half of the country. Remaining dry further east. Highest temperatures of 17C to 22C in light to moderate west to northwest winds.”
Wednesday continues the trend: “Cloudy on Wednesday morning with a few light showers. Brightening up through the day with spells of sunshine developing. Highest temperatures of 17C to 23C, warmest in the south, in a light to moderate westerly breeze.”
And by Thursday, conditions will feel much more summer-like: “A dry day for most with sunny spells, though well scattered showers will develop through the day. Very warm with highest temperatures of 20C to 25C in a light southwest or variable breeze.”
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