HOTTER THAN JULY! –

Emy Lough a haven for bathers in record heatwave

Emy Lough offered a cooling haven for bathers as our picture by Rory Geary illustrates. Although less intense than the temperatures besetting neighbouring England and Continental Europe, this week’s sun surge in Ireland brought with it ample messages of caution from Met Éireann and calls from the Department of Agriculture for farmers to ensure the safety of their animals and householders to protect their pets.

The status yellow heat warning put in place for Monaghan and a number of other counties remains in force until Friday although it is expected that the most intense sunshine has already come and gone in the north east. “It’s been very warm so far this week and temperatures are expected to climb further,” Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Coleman said yesterday. “These high temperatures could spark isolated thunderstorms in North Connacht and Ulster. “As well as high temperatures by day, it’ll stay warm and humid during the night too with temperatures expected to stay into the high teens quite widely, with a few spots possibly seeing temperatures staying above 20C overnight.

This is quite unusual for Ireland, with overnight minimum temperatures of 20C being recorded on just five occasions since records began.” The HSE advised people to take extra care when outdoors as UV levels will remain High to Very High throughout the week. “For many people, the warmer weather is enjoyable,” the HSE stated. “For some people, such as those with underlying health conditions, older people, babies and young children, the heat can bring real health risks. We are advising everyone to be careful and to keep an eye….