Thousands of homes were left without power after thunderstorms in some areas, as temperatures remained high on the island of Ireland.
While record high temperatures on both sides of the border were “challenged” on Thursday, they fell just short of historical peaks, with the fourth hottest June day recorded in Northern Ireland.
Thunderstorm warnings remain in place in Northern Ireland and several other counties, and a Status Orange thunderstorm warning is in effect for counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon until 8pm.
The National Severe Weather and Flooding Co-ordination Group met on Friday and said while Friday will remain “very warm”, temperatures are expected to decrease on Saturday.
Ireland has been experiencing sweltering conditions as a plume of extremely hot air, that brought temperatures in excess of 40C to Europe, drifted towards the island this week.
There is a risk of lightning and hail damage due to the threat of a “cluster of thunderstorms” in counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon this afternoon and evening.
A status yellow high temperature warning has been in place from noon on Tuesday and been extended until 9am on Saturday by Met Éireann.
Ireland’s national weather agency has also issued a yellow-level thunderstorm warning for 16 counties that began on Friday.
The warning expires at 6pm for counties Clare, Tipperary, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Offaly, and Westmeath.
For counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Longford and the five counties in Connacht, the thunderstorm warning remains in place until 10pm.
Met Éireann warned of localised flooding in places, “hail damage”, difficult driving conditions and very gusty winds.
It also said there could be damage to power, water, gas, and telecommunication utilities.
ESB networks said that as of 11am on Friday, there were 8,000 customers without power as a result of lightning strikes.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow-level thunderstorm warning for all of Northern Ireland from 10am until 10pm.
It has advised that scattered thunderstorms “may cause disruption in places” on Friday.
Temperatures in the Republic of Ireland exceeded 31C on Thursday but the all-time record of 33.3C was not exceeded.
However, provisional local records were set at Athenry (31.7C), Mace Head (30.4C), Claremorris (30.7C), and Knock Airport (29C).
People are being advised to stay in the shade, to use sunscreen, to drink plenty of fluids and avoid going out or doing strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.
People have also been asked to look out for others who may be impacted by the weather conditions.
The continued high temperatures mean parts of Ireland will possibly fall under the official definition of a heatwave, after experiencing five consecutive summer days above 25C.
The highest temperature recorded in the Republic of Ireland was 33.3C at Kilkenny Castle on June 26 1887.
Northern Ireland’s record temperature was 31.3C on July 21 2021 at Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
Thursday came close to being the hottest record for June, according to the Armagh Observatory, which reached 29.8C.
The hottest June day recorded a temperature of 30.4C on June 27 2018.
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