News

Sun-bathers warned of rain before heatwave returns for weekend

A woman looks at sun hats in Belfast on another scorching day in the city. Picture by Hugh Russell
A woman looks at sun hats in Belfast on another scorching day in the city. Picture by Hugh Russell A woman looks at sun hats in Belfast on another scorching day in the city. Picture by Hugh Russell

SUN worshippers who took to parks, gardens and beaches yesterday to bask in the heatwave have been warned to soak up all the rays they can - as rain is due tomorrow.

While more sunshine is forecast for the weekend and next week, forecasters yesterday warned that rain will creep in tomorrow and Friday although temperatures will remain high at around 19C and 20C.

Umbrellas though will only be needed for a very short time as bright sunshine is due to return on Saturday, with temperatures expected to hit highs of 20C for the next two weeks.

On Monday, Northern Ireland enjoyed the hottest day of 2018 so far with temperatures reaching 25.1C in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

Meanwhile, fire crews were called to the Black Mountain in west Belfast on Monday night to tackle a deliberate gorse fire.

Around 20 firefighters were called to deal with the blaze at around 7pm.

Mark Smyth, Group commander of the Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFS), said: "At this time of the year, with the weather conditions the way they are, it's very dry, there are high temperatures and the vegetation is waiting to go on fire."

"For our crews, getting to these fires, which are usually in remote areas, it can be quite difficult to deal with."