Northern Ireland set for temperatures close to record high

Temperatures in Northern Ireland are expected to climb close to the all-time record on Thursday.

That currently stands at 31.3C and was set in Castlederg in County Tyrone in July 2021, with similar temperatures expected on Thursday in western areas.

Cooler and more manageable conditions are expected towards coasts with temperatures generally reaching the low 20s.

Meanwhile, heatwave conditions for Northern Ireland were met on Wednesday after 25C was recorded for three days in a row – a threshold set by the Met Office.

In the Republic of Ireland, the same temperature threshold must be met for five consecutive days.

Temperatures in the Republic are also set to soar on Thursday where an almost 140-year-old record could be threatened.

33.3C was recorded at Kilkenny Castle on 26 June 1887.

If that temperature were to be exceeded on Thursday it would be the hottest temperature ever recorded on the island of Ireland.

Met Éireann meteorologist Holly O'Neill said the west coast of Ireland would likely see the highest temperatures.

"We're expecting temperatures to range between 25 and 31C, but it is possible we could see higher temperatures in some places," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

"It's hard to pinpoint specific areas but we're looking at parts of Connacht and the midlands. It could be in Galway or even Newport Furnace in County Mayo."

A yellow heat warning is in place across the Republic of Ireland until 09:00 on Friday.

Climate change has led to more frequent and intense heatwaves, the Met Office's chief scientist has said.

"To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering," he added.

Met Office projections indicate hot spells will become more frequent in the future, particularly over the south-east of the UK.

According to Climate Central - a United States based non-profit - the current heatwave affecting western Europe has been made between 3-5 times more likely by human caused climate change.