Major Irish 33.3C highest temperature ever alert as health experts issue warning

THE health system will be overrun if Ireland has extreme heat this summer, experts warn.

They say we are 20 times more likely than 80 years ago to suffer our highest ever temperature of 33.3C.

That has gone from a one in 180-year event to one in nine years, a study by scientists at Maynooth University, Co Kildare, has found.

Lead author Dr Andrew Parnell told The Irish Sun on Sunday: “Ireland’s a small country and it’s just not set up for extreme weather events.

“This is something we should be concerned about. Vulnerable people could suffer if there are serious health implications from this kind of event.

“This could lead to the possibility of our health system being overrun.

“Ireland’s a beautiful, green country. We grow fabulous strawberries and potatoes — and our trees and plants flourish because of our climate.

“Our agriculture sector could be detrimentally affected by extreme hot weather.

“If you start fiddling with our climate this is something we all should be concerned about.

“There will be heatwave events that are really, really hard for us to live through.”

On July 18, 2022 the Phoenix Park weather station registered 33C — the highest temperature ever in the Dublin region.

In this weekend’s forecast, Met Eireann said a mixed bag can be expected for Sunday.

WEEKEND FORECAST

Forecaster Liz Walsh said: “Sunny spells and scattered showers again tomorrow Sunday, with some slow-moving heavy and possibly thundery downpours developing in the afternoon and evening.

“Highest temperatures of 14 to 17C in light west to northwest or variable breezes.

“Monday will start out mainly dry with sunny spells.

“Scattered showers will break out as the day goes on and cloud will build from the south over Munster and parts of Leinster with patchy rain and drizzle developing near the south coast towards evening.

“Highest temperatures of 16 to 20C in light easterly breezes.”