A weak warm front tracking along the northwest coast of Ireland, closely followed by a cold front overnight, will likely trigger thunderstorms today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday). To develop, a thunderstorm needs moisture, instability and a lifting mechanism. While the moisture is coming from the exceptionally warm and humid conditions we’ve observed over the last number of days, both the instability and potential lift is being derived by the weather fronts. Should this trigger be enacted, it is likely that parts of the northwest and west will experience extreme thunderstorm activity today and tonight. Other areas may see somewhat less severe thunderstorm activity tomorrow.
Heavy and intense rainfall associated with thunderstorms may lead to localised flooding in affected areas. Other possible impacts include; lightning damage, hail, hazardous driving conditions and very gusty winds.
Thursday June 25th
There is significant CAPE activity expected on Thursday, resulting in lightning strikes and thunderstorms.
Figure 2 – DINI EPS Lightning (strikes per hour) – Thursday 25th June – 8pm
Figure 2 illustrates the uncertainty in the location of the potential lightning strikes Thursday, as shown by our local weather model (DINI).
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) indices, give us an indication on the amount of energy available in the upper air to fuel the thunderstorms (should the trigger be met). As a result of the intense heating, CAPE values are expected to exceed >3000 J/Kg in some areas. These values are exceptional for Ireland and are often associated with the extreme thunderstorm activity observed on continental Europe.
Figure 3 – DINI EPS CAPE Probability – Thursday 25th June – 8pm
Friday June 26th
For tomorrow, Friday, there is significant CAPE around, albeit not as extreme as today. However, in contrast, the probability signal for lightning strikes is greater than today, meaning there is more confidence in the occurrence of significant thunderstorm activity.
Figure 4 – DINI EPS Lightning (strikes per hour) – Friday 26th June – 3pm
Figure 4 illustrates the uncertainty in the location of the potential lightning strikes Friday, as shown by our local weather model (DINI).
Figure 5 – DINI EPS CAPE Probability – Friday 26th June – 3pm
There is some uncertainty in the model forecast on where and when exactly the thunderstorms will occur, or if they will remain offshore. However, should they occur, their intensity is expected to be quite impactful. To reflect this a status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Connacht and Donegal and will be in effect from 3pm today until 6pm Friday.
In summary, while today and tonight there is a lower chance of extremely severe thunderstorms developing in the west and northwest, there is a higher chance of somewhat less severe activity tomorrow over a broader area of Ireland.
Although many areas may not be affected, any thunderstorms that do develop could produce dangerous lightning, torrential rainfall, localised flash flooding, large hail, and damaging wind gusts. Conditions can change rapidly.
Heavy and intense rainfall associated with thunderstorms may lead to localised flooding in affected areas.
Localised flooding is possible this evening (Thursday 25th) and tomorrow across Connacht, Ulster, and parts of Leinster and Munster. Intense downpours may result in the rapid flooding of roads, properties and low-lying areas, and low-lying little warning.
Current forecast guidance indicates that the northern and western half of the country is most likely to be affected, however, thunderstorms can be highly localised and difficult to predict the exact location. Many areas may remain dry, while nearby locations could experience very heavy rainfall and flooding.
Please follow the up-to-date safety advice in your area, and:
Follow Met Éireann forecasts and weather warnings.
If you hear thunder, move indoors immediately.
If heavy rain begins, avoid driving unless necessary.
If roads become flooded, turn around and find another route.
Never drive, walk or cycle through floodwater. Heavy rainfall can cause dangerous flash flooding with little warning.
If lightning develops, stop outdoor sports including swimming, and seek shelter.
If hail develops, seek shelter, hail can be damaging to cars, structures, trees, and crops.
Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.
Check on vulnerable family members, neighbours and friends.
Stay weather aware and be prepared to act if conditions deteriorate in your area.
————————————————————————————————————-
Headline
Ireland will see temperatures climbing through the week with expected values in the high 20s or even rising to 30 degrees or higher by Thursday. It will also be extremely mild and humid which will make for some uncomfortable conditions, especially at night, with temperatures likely to remain above 15 degrees.
The high temperatures will also increase the risk of thunderstorms developing, and currently Thursday is expected to see some in the northwest.
Meteorological Situation
Much of Europe is under a heatwave which will cause temperatures of 40 degrees or higher. A plume of extremely hot air from Europe will move towards Ireland bringing it with hot and humid conditions. The heat will build through the week, with temperatures expected to reach the high twenties and even the low thirties by Thursday. It will become very humid and dewpoint temperatures which give a measure of how humid the air will be could hit the mid-twenties on Thursday afternoon (Figure 1), making for some very uncomfortable conditions.
Figure 1 – Dewpoint temperatures Thursday 25th June 4pm
If we look at the wet bulb potential temperature, values in the high teens or low twenties are expected on Thursday. The wet bulb potential temperature gives an indication of how the atmosphere will impact us in terms of heat stress. Figures like this point to uncomfortable conditions on Thursday.
Maximum temperatures on Thursday are likely to reach 30 degrees or higher in parts of the country (Figure 3). These figures may creep even higher. Once our high-resolution forecast model comes into range for Thursday we will have more confidence for the maximum temperatures.
Figure 3 – Maximum Temperatures Thursday 25th June
The hot weather will break on Friday with cooler conditions arriving and temperatures falling back to the low twenties.
Impacts
The hot weather will produce impacts such as uncomfortable conditions during the day and especially by night.
The hot weather will also mean people will head to our rivers, sea and lakes we urge you to take precautions from Water Safety Ireland.
Finally the hot conditions will mean high UV values, please follow the guidance from the HSE’s SunSmart campaign: https://www.met.ie/uv-index
Public Safety Advice
Public Health is a significant consideration during high-temperature events, and the public is advised to
Stay in the shade
Avoid going out or partaking in strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day
Drink plenty of fluids
Apply UVA and UVB sunscreen to skin that is not covered, factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children
The Health Services Executive (HSE) have specific and comprehensive advice on staying safe in hot weather, and this can be accessed at the following address.
The High Temperatures will likely bring an increase in outdoor activities, and the public is reminded that everybody has a part to play in protecting our unique rural landscapes, communities, habitats and forest resources from the threats posed by wildfire. If you are out and about enjoying our countryside and forests this summer, please help to reduce the risks of fire by keeping the following in mind:
Do not light fires in or near woodland. Use only designated barbecue points where available. Thoroughly soak BBQ embers after use and make sure that they are extinguished completely.
Do not block forest entrances or roads when parking – access may be required by the fire service or forestry personnel in the event of an emergency.
If you see a fire, report it immediately to the emergency services – Dial 999 or 112.
Report any illegal and suspicious activity to the Gardai. Note that the burning of growing vegetation on uncultivated land between 1 March and 31 August each year is prohibited by law.
Do not approach fires or attempt to extinguish fires yourself. Wildfires can be extremely dangerous and can rapidly change direction and behaviour.
June Hot Spell and Thunderstorms
June Hot Spell and Thunderstorms
Updated 25/06/2026 at 14.30
Current situation
Figure 1 – 06Z Synoptic Analysis
A weak warm front tracking along the northwest coast of Ireland, closely followed by a cold front overnight, will likely trigger thunderstorms today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday). To develop, a thunderstorm needs moisture, instability and a lifting mechanism. While the moisture is coming from the exceptionally warm and humid conditions we’ve observed over the last number of days, both the instability and potential lift is being derived by the weather fronts. Should this trigger be enacted, it is likely that parts of the northwest and west will experience extreme thunderstorm activity today and tonight. Other areas may see somewhat less severe thunderstorm activity tomorrow.
Heavy and intense rainfall associated with thunderstorms may lead to localised flooding in affected areas. Other possible impacts include; lightning damage, hail, hazardous driving conditions and very gusty winds.
Thursday June 25th
There is significant CAPE activity expected on Thursday, resulting in lightning strikes and thunderstorms.
Figure 2 – DINI EPS Lightning (strikes per hour) – Thursday 25th June – 8pm
Figure 2 illustrates the uncertainty in the location of the potential lightning strikes Thursday, as shown by our local weather model (DINI).
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) indices, give us an indication on the amount of energy available in the upper air to fuel the thunderstorms (should the trigger be met). As a result of the intense heating, CAPE values are expected to exceed >3000 J/Kg in some areas. These values are exceptional for Ireland and are often associated with the extreme thunderstorm activity observed on continental Europe.
Figure 3 – DINI EPS CAPE Probability – Thursday 25th June – 8pm
Friday June 26th
For tomorrow, Friday, there is significant CAPE around, albeit not as extreme as today. However, in contrast, the probability signal for lightning strikes is greater than today, meaning there is more confidence in the occurrence of significant thunderstorm activity.
Figure 4 – DINI EPS Lightning (strikes per hour) – Friday 26th June – 3pm
Figure 4 illustrates the uncertainty in the location of the potential lightning strikes Friday, as shown by our local weather model (DINI).
Figure 5 – DINI EPS CAPE Probability – Friday 26th June – 3pm
There is some uncertainty in the model forecast on where and when exactly the thunderstorms will occur, or if they will remain offshore. However, should they occur, their intensity is expected to be quite impactful. To reflect this a status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Connacht and Donegal and will be in effect from 3pm today until 6pm Friday.
In summary, while today and tonight there is a lower chance of extremely severe thunderstorms developing in the west and northwest, there is a higher chance of somewhat less severe activity tomorrow over a broader area of Ireland.
Check Warnings & Advisories on met.ie for all the warning details.
Potential impacts
Although many areas may not be affected, any thunderstorms that do develop could produce dangerous lightning, torrential rainfall, localised flash flooding, large hail, and damaging wind gusts. Conditions can change rapidly.
Please follow the up-to-date safety advice in your area, and:
————————————————————————————————————-
Headline
Ireland will see temperatures climbing through the week with expected values in the high 20s or even rising to 30 degrees or higher by Thursday. It will also be extremely mild and humid which will make for some uncomfortable conditions, especially at night, with temperatures likely to remain above 15 degrees.
The high temperatures will also increase the risk of thunderstorms developing, and currently Thursday is expected to see some in the northwest.
Meteorological Situation
Much of Europe is under a heatwave which will cause temperatures of 40 degrees or higher. A plume of extremely hot air from Europe will move towards Ireland bringing it with hot and humid conditions. The heat will build through the week, with temperatures expected to reach the high twenties and even the low thirties by Thursday. It will become very humid and dewpoint temperatures which give a measure of how humid the air will be could hit the mid-twenties on Thursday afternoon (Figure 1), making for some very uncomfortable conditions.
Figure 1 – Dewpoint temperatures Thursday 25th June 4pm
If we look at the wet bulb potential temperature, values in the high teens or low twenties are expected on Thursday. The wet bulb potential temperature gives an indication of how the atmosphere will impact us in terms of heat stress. Figures like this point to uncomfortable conditions on Thursday.
Figure 2 – Wet bulb potential temperatures Thursday 25th June – 1pm
Maximum temperatures on Thursday are likely to reach 30 degrees or higher in parts of the country (Figure 3). These figures may creep even higher. Once our high-resolution forecast model comes into range for Thursday we will have more confidence for the maximum temperatures.
Figure 3 – Maximum Temperatures Thursday 25th June
The hot weather will break on Friday with cooler conditions arriving and temperatures falling back to the low twenties.
Impacts
Public Safety Advice
Public Health is a significant consideration during high-temperature events, and the public is advised to
The Health Services Executive (HSE) have specific and comprehensive advice on staying safe in hot weather, and this can be accessed at the following address.
https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/procedures-guidelines/staying-safe-in-hot-weather/
Water Safety
If you’re planning an activity in or on the water, remember:
For more water safety information, contact www.watersafety.ie.
Fire Safety
The High Temperatures will likely bring an increase in outdoor activities, and the public is reminded that everybody has a part to play in protecting our unique rural landscapes, communities, habitats and forest resources from the threats posed by wildfire. If you are out and about enjoying our countryside and forests this summer, please help to reduce the risks of fire by keeping the following in mind:
Further advice is available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/fire-management/
Eolas Fúinn