Heat is on as we hit 30C

30.4 0.4C

THE mercury was sent smashing through the 30C mark yesterday as Northern Ireland’s tropical heatwave continued.

Many parts of the region posted near record-breaking temperatures – and even the trains had to slow down.

Villagers in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, were feeling the heat with 30.4C recorded –

0.4C behind the hottest ever.

In Katesbridge, Co Down, temperatures also rocketed to 30C – putting Rome, Athens and the South of France in the shade.

Northern Ireland’s record temperature of 30.8C was posted in Fermanagh in 1976 and matched in Belfast on July 12, 1983. The red-hot conditions led to NI Railways putting restrictions in place for a number of hours due to high track temper- atures. The warm stretch is set to continue well into next week with July and the school holidays expected to get off to a scorching start.

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said: “It’ll be dry for the remainder of the week, with temperatures well above normal as high pressure drifts to the east.”

However, the downside of the hot weather was evident in Co Derry where gorse fires spread.

Scores of firefighters battled for hours to curtail the blaze close to the Glenshane Pass.

Temperature hit in Derrylin lower than our hottest day

Jolene Burns at Hazelbank yesterday Declan Meighan at Belfast fountain STICK TO IT Dog in water Relaxing at Loughshore Park The Sperrins along Glenshane Pass