Met Éireann have issued a five-day ‘High-Temperature’ warning with temperatures expected to hit over 27 degrees in Wicklow and many other parts of the county.
The nationwide warning was issued at 6am this morning and will remain in place until 9pm on Friday.
According to Met Eireann, this week “could well be” the hottest June weather since 1976, which hit spikes of 31 degrees.
“Dog day afternoon” Two terriers enjoy the bank holiday sunshine in Arklow, Co.Wicklow.
Wicklow is expected to be slightly cooled by pleasant sea breezes while inland counties will be hit with harsher hot temperatures.
It will cool down to around 13-15 degrees in the evening, but Met Éireann has warned that nights will be quite humid which could make sleeping uncomfortable and difficult for those who are housebound.
Health Minister Simon Harris has urged the public to check in on elderly or isolated neighbours, while the Department of Agriculture has an orange fire warning in place.
The Coast Guard, Irish Water Safety and the RNLI have advised people to proceed with care and caution when swimming this coming week following a number of incidents over the weekend and lakes, rivers and seas can be colder than expected.
They have urged people to swim within their depth, in a life-guard controlled area, and to always wear a life jacket if taking part water sports.
Wicklow RNLI assisted a swimmer in Wicklow Harbour to safety on Saturday afternoon, while two men drowned in separate incidents in Dublin and Donegal over the weekend.
Wicklow RNLI Inshore lifeboat (File photo)