Thunderstorm alert in place as temperatures keep climbing
Updated: 5.30pm
A thunderstorm alert is in place for most of the country, with Met Éireann warning of possible localised flooding and difficult travel conditions.
The status yellow warning began shortly after 2.30pm, covering Connacht, Cavan, Donegal, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.
The forecaster warned of "localised slow-moving showers with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and the chance of hail", with the alert remaining in place until 9pm on Tuesday.
Very warm & humid this afternoon, sunny spells & scattered heavy showers 🥵🌦️
Some heavy downpours & thunderstorms expected in parts of the midlands & west with spot flooding & hail likely ⛈️
Thunderstorm warning in place ➡️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS
Highs 22 to 27C pic.twitter.com/jxD7a63rnp— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 13, 2023
A similar thunderstorm warning issued by the UK Met Office is in place in counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh until 9pm.
Earlier, Met Éireann said Tuesday was "shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far", with temperatures hitting 27 degrees in parts.
The warm spell is expected to continue into the weekend, with temperatures generally remaining in the low 20s but reaching as high as 27 degrees in parts.
