Ireland: The public has been urged to conserve water during the hot season

IRELAND: Irish Water is asking the public to take steps to conserve water and avoid the need for restrictions later in the summer ahead of high temperatures forecast from today.

The utility company said supplies are operating normally and there are no plans to introduce restrictions at this time, but it expects to see an increase in demand for water over the coming weeks which "may put pressure on some supplies".

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for "exceptionally warm weather" today, tomorrow and Tuesday, with daytime temperatures of 25C to 30C generally and possibly up to 32C in places tomorrow.

Irish Water reported that strain has started to build on rural water supplies, especially in the south and midlands.

In areas of Cos. Cork and Tipperary, Carron in Co. Clare, and Inis O'Rr in Co. Galway, it has already taken steps to safeguard supply.

Irish Water's Head of Asset Operations, Tom Cuddy, stated: "Over the upcoming weeks and months, we will continue to keep an eye on the levels at all of our sources and take all necessary steps to keep up supply, including communicating about specific localised difficulties when they emerge.

"We should all think about how much water we use and look for quick but effective solutions to reduce it.

"We can all work to make sure there is enough water to supply everyone as we go through the summer by decreasing the water used in paddling pools, shutting off the hose, and avoiding power washing."

It will continue to be uncomfortable warm nighttime in the upcoming days, according to Met Éireann, with temperatures between 15-20C.

A high UV index, water-related events, and a danger of heat stress, particularly for more sensitive persons, are all part of the warning, which is in force from 6 a.m. today until 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to Met Éireann meteorologist Paul Downes, a number of variables will cause Ireland to experience a brief period of extremely high temperatures.

According to him, the Azores High, which extends from the southwest over Ireland for the weekend and brings rising temperatures while retaining warmer air to the south, is to blame for the high temperatures.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3°C at Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887. This was followed by 32.3°C on July 19, 2006, near Elphin, Roscommon.

With broad hazy sunshine and temperatures ranging from 23 to 28C, the Midlands will have the warmest conditions today.

Tomorrow is expected to be a scorching day across the nation, with average highs of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and maybe as high as 31 to 32 degrees in some areas of the east and midlands.

"There is a little more uncertainty regarding Tuesday but it does look like it will be another hot day and perhaps as hot if not hotter than Monday," Mr Downes said.