Ireland is set to enjoy temperatures that could exceed those in Ibiza this weekend, with parts of Connacht potentially reaching 26 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Met Éireann predicts unbroken sunshine across the entire country throughout the weekend.
The fine weather is expected to continue into early next week, with most areas remaining dry and sunny until Wednesday or Thursday. However, forecasters warn that a shift is on the horizon, as low pressure systems are likely to become more dominant toward the end of next week, bringing an increased chance of showers or rain spells.
The extended dry period has placed significant strain on water supplies, with Uisce Éireann describing the situation in some areas as being “on a knife edge.” The utility company reported that average water demand in the greater Dublin area has reached a record level of more than 630 million liters per day.
“This is close to the limit of what can be sustainably produced by our water treatment infrastructure,” Uisce Éireann stated, urging consumers to be mindful of their water usage during this period of high demand.
Water conservation orders—commonly known as hosepipe bans—have already been implemented in several locations since early May, including Mullingar in County Westmeath, Milford in County Donegal, and the Kells-Oldcastle area in County Meath.