Rainfall for June lowest since 1941

DUBLIN has experienced its driest June in nearly 80 years, with the scorching weather set to continue into next week.

According to Met Éireann’s monthly data report, the rainfall for the Phoenix Park was just 3.8mm - the lowest since 1941.

And in the Midlands, Shannon Airport saw its highest temperatures since 1946, with mercury levels peaking at 32C last week.

Met Éireann has issued a new State Yellow high temperatures warning for 14 counties for 2pm-7pm this afternoon. Temperatures will peak at 27C or 28C in Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon, Clare, Limerick and Tipperar y.

The forecaster is predicting that the “dry, warm and settled spell will persist into the early days of next week”.

However, it’s not all good news as the Department of Agriculture said there is a serious risk of fires throughout the countr y.

Its ‘Condition Red – Extreme Fire Risk’ warning has been extended and will last until 12 noon of Friday.

Today will be another warm, dry and sunny day, though some southern counties will experience isolated showers during the afternoon.

Tomorrow will see a bit of a change with “cloudier, hazier conditions” moving in from the northwest during the afternoon.

Temperatures will rise to just 15C-18C in parts of Connacht and Ulster, however southern and eastern parts of the countr y will see a high of 25C. Friday will see a return to sunny conditions nationwide.