Met Éireann has today (Monday, June 22) issued a Status Yellow weather warning for high temperatures across the country.

The national forecaster said that maximum temperatures in excess of 27°C are expected in the coming days. On Thursday, temperatures could possibly reach 30° in places.

Even night time temperatures are forecast not to fall below 15°.

The warning will be valid from midday (12:00p.m) tomorrow (Tuesday, June 23) until 9:00a.m on Friday (June 26).

Met Éireann said the high temperatures will bring a risk of heat stress, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and water safety issues due to increased use of rivers, lakes and beaches.

High temperatures

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said that livestock should always be checked more frequently in hot weather.

Animals at higher risk of heat stress include young, dark-coloured or pregnant animals; animals recovering from illness; pigs; and high-producing dairy cows.

Signs of heat stress include: faster breathing or panting; loss of appetite; increased water intake; drooling; and listlessness or lethargy.

In severe cases, animals may become unconscious.

DAFM advises that the number of watering points and water flow may need to be increased during hot weather as demand increases.

Drinking points should be checked more often during hot weather to ensure they are working and that water pressure is adequate.

Stock should be monitored for signs of problems with water supply such as queuing or crowding at water points.

Met Éireann

Met Éireann has said that many parts of the country will be dry for much of the coming week with some rain expected mainly from Friday and through next weekend.

However, there is a chance of thunderstorm activity from Wednesday onwards, with some high accumulations possible where these occur.

Mean air temperatures will be well above average, by 3° to 6°. Soil temperatures will continue well above average also.

Due to the warm and mainly dry weather, drying conditions will be good for much of the week, while there will be good opportunities for spraying with light winds.

Soil moisture deficits will increase everywhere, ranging from 10mm to 25mm for Ulster, Connacht and west Munster.

Values are expected to reach between 30mm and 45mm over Leinster and east Munster.

Met Éireann said this may cause growth to become restricted in some areas.