Heat warning continues in Ireland as temperatures could hit 30°C

Met Éireann has confirmed temperatures will climb as high as 31°C on Thursday and could even get higher, possibly surpassing the record of 33.3°C set in 1887.

It has already issued a status yellow high temperature warning for the whole of Ireland until 9am on Friday, though at this stage it is still predicting temperatures could reach 26°C on that day.

Wednesday will see sunny spells across the south and southeast before it starts developing in most areas with some showers in parts of the west and southwest. It will be very warm and humid with highs of 23°C to 28°C - it will be warmest in the south.

Temperatures will not go below 14°C to 20°C as Met Éireann says warm and humid temperatures will continue.

Thursday will be a "hot and humid day across the country." Highest temperatures of 25°C to 31°C are expected, but it could reach higher in some places, with the hottest weather across the Midlands and the West.

Heavy showers and possible thunderstorms are likely to develop on Thursday night in the west and northwest before it spreads elsewhere through the night, with the chance of spot flooding and frequent lightning.

However, it will stay dry for most with clear spells. But it will be warm and humid with temperatures not dropping below 17°C for most.

Friday will see heavy and possibly thundery showers persist in the northwest for most of the day, while it stays dry for most elsewhere with sunny spells. It will still be warm with highs of 22°C to 26°C.

It will be another mild and humid night on Friday before rain starts coming in parts of the south and west overnight. Lows of 14°C to 17°C are expected.

Looking into the weekend, Saturday will see some bright or sunny spells at times, mainly in the east, with outbreaks of showery rain coming in from the west later. Highs of 18°C to 23°C are expected.

Sunday will be quite breezy with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Highs of 16°C are set for the west, and 20°C in the east.