HOTTER THAN RIO! CARE URGED AS HEATWAVE GRIPS THE COUNTRY
WE may not have the Copacabana but at least we have the temperatures.
Ireland is expected to be warmer than Rio de Janeiro this week with the mercury in some parts of the country forecast to reach 30C.
Ireland will also be warmer than Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, and the Canary Islands.
With a sustained spell of high pressure moving across the country, the good weather is expected to continue for the rest of the week at least.
Today will feature dry and sunny weather with some high cloud and hazy conditions.
Inland, the temperatures are expected to be highest at 27C while
Pollen count is expected to be high
the coasts will be cooler due to sea breezes.
The dry and sunny weather will continue across the rest of the week with daytime highs in the mid to high 20s. The nights are also expected to be warm, with minimum temperatures in the low to mid-teens.
According to Met Éireann, there are early indications that the high pressure system that is giving such good weather may weaken from next Saturday onwards.
But the exceptionally warm and sunny weather might not be good news for everyone.
Hay fever sufferers will want to take extra precautions over the following days as the pollen count is expected to be very high.
The heatwave may also be bad news for animals: the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is urging pet owners to take extra care of dogs and cats.
The ISPCA is warning that pets can become dehydrated and overheat quickly, so it is important for owners to be aware of the warning signs.
These include excessive panting, increased heart rate, dry or pale gums and weakness.
To avoid overheating, it is vital not to overexert pets, make sure they always have access to fresh water and are out of the sun.
ISPCA public relations manager Carmel Murray said: ‘Pet owners often think leaving a car window open a little is sufficient for their pet, but this is not enough to prevent heatstroke under intense sunshine, which can have fatal consequences.
‘We all love the sunshine but it is important to be aware of the dangers that can be caused by leaving a pet, such as a dog, unattended in a vehicle during hot weather, even 10 minutes can prove to be fatal. Dogs in particular don’t have any sweat glands.’
Ms Murray added: ‘If your pet is showing signs of severe overheating, move your pet to a cooler area immediately, spray with cool, not cold water, and give a small drink of water and contact your vet straight away.
‘The summer sun can be fun for everyone, but please do plan in advance if bringing a pet anywhere. Please also be mindful of common chemicals that may be in your home this summer, as these can be toxic to pets if ingested.’
Ms Murray added that sun creams, insect repellant, weed killer were extremely dangerous to pets if they were ingested and needed to be stored securely.