A heatwave is defined by the weather forecasters as 5 or more consecutive days of temperatures reaching 25c and above. The 1976 heatwave lasted 14 days from the 14th to the 27th of August.
Today is the 13th day of the heatwave in Ireland, with the weather advisory for high temperatures in place until Monday. If the current high temperatures can rmain the 1976 record will be broken almost 50 years after it was set.
There is a caveat to become record breakers, the temperature of 25c or more must be recorded in the same place for all of the qualifying days. Met Éireann say it is unlikely the temperatures will remain fixed and will instead shift as the heatwave starts moving.
While the current temperatures are set to lower slightly over the next few days, Met Éireann has said that concerns for wildfires, wildlife, water safety and more will not simply disappear. They have asked that the public remain careful in the heat and take all necessary precautions.
The increase of wildfires in Ireland such as in Wicklow and Killarney have led retailers such as Tesco to pull disposable barbeques from shelves.
A Hosepipe ban is currently in place in Dublin and other counties in an attempt to conserve water. Restrictions will remain in place for 6 weeks.
