LAST UPDATE | 17 Jul 2021

TEMPERATURES HIT 29.3 degrees Celsius in Co Galway today, making it the hottest day of the year so far in Ireland.

Met Eireann wrote on Twitter: “We have reached 29.3C so far today at Athenry, Co. Galway, making it the warmest day of the year so far. Beautiful sunshine around much of the country today too.”

Balmy conditions are expected to linger for much of the next few days thanks to pressure building above Ireland due to the Azores High, which is blocking out weather from the Atlantic.

Tomorrow is expected to be dry with sunny spells and temperatures of around 22 to 24 degrees, according to Met Éireann although there is a chance of the odd thundery shower during the evening in the southern half of the country.

With the country sweltering in a heatwave, people are being urged to lash on the suncream if they’re heading out.

The Irish Skin Foundation recommends applying a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ around 20 minutes before going out in the sun.