The weekend weather outlook shows a spell of warm or hot temperatures across most areas of the country with dry sunny conditions with humid nights.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow High Temperature warning for: Carlow; Kildare; Kilkenny; Laois; Longford; Meath; Offaly; Westmeath; Wexford; Limerick; Tipperary; Waterford.

The warning comes into effect at 3:00p.m today, Friday, July 10 and will remain in place until 7:00a.m on Sunday, July 12.

The conditions are expected to bring maximum temperatures in excess of 27°C combined with overnight temperature minimums in excess of 15°C.

Potential impacts include:

Water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches;
Uncomfortable sleeping conditions;
Heat stress or dehydration, especially for the vulnerable and elderly and animals;
Potential disruption to public transport;
Animal welfare issues;
Potential drought concerns;
Potential wildfires and forest fires.

Met Éireann has an advisory to the public due to the hot weather.

With the forecasted heatwaves, daytime maxima will widely exceed 25° with values climbing to the high 20s or even low 30s in places from today (Friday).

The UV Index is expected to be high to very high. Warm and humid nights will occur with minima of 15° or higher.

Possible tropical nights may occur in places this weekend. There is also the chance of some thunderstorms later.

Weekend weather forecast

In terms of a details forecast, starting with today (Friday), it will be a very warm or hot day for most.

It will be dry for most with hazy sunny spells but with mist and fog in places early this morning and sea fog may encroach along southern and eastern coasts at times.

Highest temperatures will range from 21° to 29°, warmest in the south, with light, occasionally moderate north or north-east breezes.

It should be cooler and cloudier in the west and north-west with isolated showers before brightening up later.

Then it will be mostly dry tonight with clear spells though a few showers may develop in the west and south-west. Cloud will build in the north towards morning.

Temperatures will not fall below 13° to 17° generally, a little cooler though in the north and north-west with light, occasionally moderate northerly breezes.

Dry and sunny for most tomorrow, Saturday, with just the odd shower possible at times and highest temperatures of 22° to 28° or 29°.

However, it will be cloudier in parts of the north and north-west with highest temperatures of 17° to 21°.

Northerly winds will be mostly light to moderate but fresher at times in the north-west according to the forecaster.

Saturday night is expected to be dry with long clear spells for most. It will be cloudier in the north with isolated showers.

Temperatures will not fall below 13° to 18° in light, occasionally moderate north or north-east breezes.

Sunday should be dry with sunshine for most though cloudier at times in the north. A few stray showers are possible.

Highest temperatures of 22° to 29°, coolest for eastern coasts with mostly moderate easterly winds developing.Sunday night is expected to be dry and largely clear overnight but very mild and muggy with temperatures not falling below 13° to 19° in light to moderate easterly breezes.

Next week

Monday is forecast to be dry and sunny, with the sunshine turning hazy from the south later.

Some heavier showers may clip southern coastal areas in the evening.

Highest temperatures of 20° to 28° generally, coolest again near eastern coasts in light to moderate easterly breezes.

Tuesday should be largely dry and sunny but a few showers cannot be ruled out in the south and east.

Highest temperatures will range from 20° to 28°, warmest in the south-west, in light to moderate easterly breezes.Looking further ahead to later next week, at the moment it is forecast to be very warm or hot for Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures reaching the low 30s locally.

The nights will continue warm and muggy and some thundery showers are possible.

Temperatures will likely fall back closer to average for next Friday and the weekend.

Farming weather

Conditions will be moderate to good. More widespread good or very conditions are expected from Saturday onwards, outside of a few possible heavy showers or thunderstorms.

Spraying

Spraying opportunities away from the patchy rain and drizzle in the north and west, will be good over the coming days.

Conditions in the north and west will improve over the weekend.

Field conditions

Most soil types are trafficable at present, with the exception of some soils in the north-west where soils are saturated.

Elsewhere, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) range from around 15mm to 64mm, highest over southern Leinster.

With drier than average conditions expected over the coming week, SMDs will increase throughout the country over all soil types, likely ranging from 20mm and 30mm in the north and west, and from 50mm to 70mm in the south and east.

Blight

Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight are expected in western coastal parts of Ulster, Connacht and Munster today (Friday).

Spraying opportunities in the these areas will be occasionally limited by patchy drizzle and isolated showers.

A condition orange fire risk is in operation for the country until midday on Monday July 13, with elevated fire risk expected in all areas, but will be especially focused in southern and eastern regions.

Road safaety

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution on the roads amid the heatwave.

With clear sunny conditions and high temperatures forecast over the next number of days, the RSA is advising drivers to:

Reduce the risk from sun glare by wearing sunglasses. Be aware of the dangers of sun glare when travelling east in the mornings and west later in the day;
Be prepared and ensure you have adequate supplies of water. Any delays to journeys could result in road users being stuck in traffic for a period time in hot conditions. Children and pets are particularly at risk during these hot spells of weather;
Ensure your windscreen is clear of grease or grime inside and out. Make sure you have plenty of window washer fluid to clear flies/insects and excess dust from the road when driving;
Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. Slow down and allow extra space when passing.

Advice to pedestrians, people who cycle, e-scooter users and motorcyclists:

Beware of the dangers that sun glare can cause, especially when crossing the road and at junctions;
Follow current health messaging around the use of sun block when out walking and cycling.

Summertime is the most dangerous time of the year on our roads according to the RSA.

In the summer, when there are no obvious dangers, and the weather is fine and days are brighter, road users drop their guard.

There can be a spike in pedestrian, people who cycle and motorcyclist casualties over the summer months as the fine weather brings more people on to the roads.

Drivers are urged to be on the lookout for them, slow down and expect the unexpected.