Thunderstorm warning issued across Northern Ireland, as temperatures rise

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.

The Met Office has issued a warning for thunderstorms bringing heavy showers that may cause disruption in places on Friday morning.

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 Saturday.

While many of us love to cool off in the water during the hot weather and enjoy the beach, the Coastguard has warned people to be careful.

They advise swimming at a life guard attended beach where possible, taking notice of the beach flags, staying within your limits, and not swimming after drinking alcohol.

If you get into trouble use the method Float to Live.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms may bring disruption in places on Friday morning.

Whilst some places will miss them, where they occur hail and frequent lightning are likely along with rainfall totals of 15-20 mm in less than an hour.

There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

In Cultra, County Down, dog owner Davina Girvan said she was making sure her Lhasa Apso, Chico, stayed cool.

"We bring him down early in the morning with plenty of water, let him have his walk around." she said.

"He goes in the wee stream to cool off and then we go back in the car which has a cool mat with gel along the back seat so that when he moves it activates the gel to keep him cool.

"Once he's panting or looking for shade that's when we leave."

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.

Prof Graeme Swindles, a climate change researcher at Queens University Belfast said although there have always been hot summers, the difference now is the baseline.

"I think some scientists are surprised by the rate of change.

"Climate change is accelerating, temperatures keep going up and records are being broken and certainly we are going to see more records being broken in the next few years in Northern Ireland as well."

He said the climate in Northern Ireland is buffered by the Atlantic.

He said changes to the levels of wind and rain storms are also "causing problems".

"Part of what we have to do is adapt to it, it isn't going to disappear over night. We are going to see warmer summers, drier summers, wetter winters and more high intensity rain and wind storms."

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.