Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland weather set to sizzle

People enjoying the lawns outside Belfast City Hall. Picture by Mal McCann
People enjoying the lawns outside Belfast City Hall. Picture by Mal McCann People enjoying the lawns outside Belfast City Hall. Picture by Mal McCann

ICE-CREAM weather is set to reign this week as Northern Ireland basks in its own mini heatwave.

Today is expected to be the north's warmest day of the year so far with temperatures possibly reaching 24C in some parts.

Temperatures are set to remain in the warm 20Cs over the coming days with some very warm spells of sunshine.

However, many across the country were left disappointed as cloud prevented the sunshine from breaking through.

Some areas may experience heavy and possibly thundery showers this afternoon and Thursday before the cloud clears.

A dip in temperatures is expected on Thursday – but the mercury is likely to rise again before the weekend.

In Britain temperatures are set to hit 30C today and 35C tomorrow, making it hotter than Brazil's Rio de Janeiro and Bucharest in Romania.

The heatwave is being caused by a warm front and tropical continental air mass from Europe pushing across the country, bringing high temperatures and humidity.

A health warning has even been issued amid concerns that lives could be at risk.

Vulnerable groups including the elderly, young children and people with breathing difficulties have been urged to stay cool as the hot weather pushes across the Ireland and Britain from Europe.

Dr Angie Bone from Public Health England said there could be more deaths than usual.

She said it seemed "likely" that the Met Office would issue a level 3 heatwave alert, which requires community support for at-risk groups, media alerts about keeping cool and a review of safety at public events.

"It is possible that we will see an excess mortality but it is too early to tell," she said.

"We know that high temperatures do have an impact on health, particularly on older people and young children and people with chronic diseases."

The heat is predicted to be so intense that Britain's Network Rail has imposed a speed restriction on some services today to stop the rails from buckling.

Commuters in Britain have been advised to check their journeys before travelling and have been warned that there may be disruption caused by the weather.