Irish heatwave: Temperatures could hit 29 degrees today amid 'extreme' risk of fires

Temperatures could hit highs of 29 degrees in some parts of the country on Friday.

A Met Éireann warning for high temperatures will take effect in 14 counties at 12pm, extending to all parts of the country on Saturday.

The Department of Agriculture has also issued a red warning for extreme risk of gorse and forest fires until Monday.

It said hot and dry weather conditions are forecast to remain in place over the weekend with greatly increased forest fire risks expected as a result.

Visitors to public recreational areas should cooperate with all fire safety requirements and not light open fires or barbeques in forest areas, the department said.

Met Éireann said Friday will be “sunny, dry and very warm”. Some clouds will drift in at times across the west and northwest, but it will stay dry across the country.

Temperatures will rise well above average, with highs of 25 to 28 or 29 degrees. There will be lots of evening sunshine and dry weather. A very mild night is in store with lowest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

Saturday will be “another very warm day”, according to Met Éireann.

Temperatures will rise to between 26 and 29 or even 30 degrees with the warmest temperatures inland, away from the coast. A little cloud will push in across the west but it will be another largely dry day with light southerly breezes.

Temperatures will drop to 14 to 17 degrees on Saturday night.

Mild and very warm weather will continue through the weekend, but more unsettled and cooler weather will begin from next week.