DUBLIN, Ireland: Temperatures reached 28 degrees in some parts of the country on July 11, and a yellow weather warning is now in place.
Met Éireann has issued a high temperature alert for 14 counties, including Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Roscommon, and Tipperary. They are asking people to stay safe in the sun, as hot and humid weather is expected to last through the weekend.
At the same time, a major wildfire warning has been issued due to the heatwave. A rare Condition Red alert is now active. The Department of Agriculture has warned that even a small spark could start a fast-moving fire.
People are strongly advised not to light barbecues, campfires, or open flames, especially near forests and parks. Everyone is being asked to stay alert and to call 112 if they see any fires.
Met Éireann says the hot weather will continue this weekend but will begin to change early next week.
Sunday will start dry and sunny with light winds. However, clouds will increase from the west, and rain will spread to Atlantic coastal areas later in the day. Some heavy and possibly thundery showers may appear in the west by the evening. Temperatures will stay warm, between 22 and 28 degrees, with southerly breezes.
It will be cloudy and unsettled, with a band of rain moving across the country in the morning. Later, it will clear up in some places with sunshine and scattered showers. Winds will shift from southeast to southwest. Temperatures will be cooler than recent days, between 18 and 22 degrees.
The weather will stay unsettled and cooler, with a mix of scattered showers, some sunny spells, and windy conditions. Highs will be between 17 and 21 degrees.
Meanwhile, a 12-year-old girl had to be airlifted to the hospital after getting into difficulty while swimming in County Tipperary on the afternoon of July 11.
The incident happened just after 4 p.m. at a popular swimming spot in the village of Newcastle, near The Vee Pass and Ballymacarbry. The area is part of the Suir Blueway.
She had been swimming with others when the trouble began. Emergency services and Gardaí rushed to the scene, and the girl was rescued from the water around 4:45 p.m.
She was flown by the Irish Coast Guard's Rescue 117 helicopter to Cork University Hospital. She is believed to be from Newcastle, has just finished sixth class, and comes from a well-known local family.
