IRELAND recorded its first 'tropical night' in two decades yesterday as this week's scorching heatwave refuses to let up.
A 'tropical night' occurs when temperatures stay at 20C or above from dusk 'till dawn.
Met Éireann confirmed that on Wednesday night, the mercury in Co. Kerry failed to drop lower than 20.5C, comfortably meeting the criteria.
Only six tropical nights have been recorded in Ireland since records began.
Temperatures regularly sat just above 30C across Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday, while Northern Ireland recorded its hottest day for over 100 years earlier this week, with heats up 31.3C.
The hottest temperature of the year was also recorded in the Republic this week, with the mercury rising to 31.2C in Co. Laois.
The ongoing heatwave means that the Status Yellow high temperature warning for the entire country has been extended. It was due to expire on Friday evening, but will now be in place until 9am on Saturday.
A Status Orange weather warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, south Leitrim, Longford and Westmeath has now reverted to a Yellow warning as of this morning.
Temperatures are set to eventually start dropping next week, with rain forecast for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday across Ireland.
