Ireland Heatwave July 2026: Where It'll Be Warmest and When

Ireland is set for a warm spell in early July 2026, with temperatures climbing into the low-to-mid 20s — but it’s a world away from the extreme heat baking the rest of Europe. Ireland sits on the fringe of the “heat dome,” so while the sunny southeast enjoys the best of the weather from the weekend, the north and northwest stay cooler and cloudier. Here’s where it’ll be warmest and when. Forecasts change, so always check Met Éireann for the latest.

Is Ireland getting a heatwave in July 2026?

Sort of — but a modest one. Met Éireann is forecasting higher-than-normal temperatures for July, but they’re likely to peak in the low-to-mid 20s and probably won’t push much beyond that. Importantly, it should also be less humid than the last warm spell in June, which briefly pushed temperatures above 32°C in places — peaking at 32.2°C in Co Galway — before it broke down — meaning fewer uncomfortable, sticky nights this time. Ireland is only catching the edge of the vast “heat dome” of high pressure sitting over continental Europe, so there’s nothing here like the 30s and 40s being recorded in France, Spain and even parts of England. It’s worth noting that Ireland’s official heatwave threshold is five straight days at 25°C or above at a single weather station, so whether this spell technically qualifies is borderline — the warmest southeastern spots may just flirt with that mark.

Which parts of Ireland will be warmest?

This is very much a tale of two countries. The warmth will be unevenly spread, with the south and east getting the best of it while the north and west stay cool and damp — as Met Éireann forecaster Michelle Dillon put it, Donegal is going to feel very different from Wexford.

The clear winners are the southeastern counties like Wexford and Waterford, along with the wider Leinster region and Dublin, which should see the driest, sunniest conditions and the highest temperatures. The further north and west you travel, the cloudier and wetter it gets, with Donegal, the Atlantic seaboard and much of Ulster staying noticeably cooler throughout.

When will the warm weather arrive?

The warm-up is a gradual one that builds from the weekend. Temperatures are expected to rise from Saturday and continue into the following week, as high pressure gathers warm air from the Azores and west Africa. That high is set to linger just off the south and southwest of Ireland rather than sitting directly overhead, which is why the warmth reaches the country in stages.

In practical terms, that means the south will feel the warmth first over Saturday and Sunday, the spell continues through the following week, and western counties finally join in around Tuesday. The north and northwest, unfortunately, look set to miss out for much of the period.

Why isn’t Ireland as hot as the rest of Europe?

It’s all down to Ireland’s position on the map. The extreme heat gripping Europe is being driven by a “heat dome” — a large, slow-moving area of high pressure that traps and builds heat over the continental landmass over several days. Because that high is centred well to the south and east, and lingers off Ireland’s south-west coast rather than moving directly overhead, Ireland only catches the milder edge of the warm air being pulled up from the Azores and west Africa. On top of that, the Atlantic Ocean has a constant moderating and cooling influence, especially along the western and northern coasts, which is why those areas stay cloudier and cooler. The upside is that Ireland avoids the dangerous, record-breaking temperatures seen elsewhere — and with lower humidity than June, this spell should simply feel like pleasant summer weather.

Enjoy the sunshine — and a few reminders

A warm, dry spell is something to make the most of, particularly in the sunny southeast. Just a few sensible reminders apply: wear sunscreen and stay hydrated during the sunniest hours, and take care around water, as more people head to beaches, lakes and rivers when the sun comes out — sea temperatures around Ireland remain cool even in warm weather. Nothing about this spell calls for the kind of extreme heat precautions being urged on the Continent, so it’s mostly a case of getting outside and enjoying it while it lasts. For a sense of how much hotter it’s getting just across the water, see our UK July heatwave forecast.

The bottom line

Ireland’s July 2026 warm spell will bring pleasant low-to-mid 20s temperatures, with the southeast and Leinster enjoying the best of the sunshine from the weekend and the warmth spreading west by Tuesday — while the north and northwest stay cooler and cloudier. It’s a welcome dose of summer rather than a dangerous heatwave, so enjoy it, and keep an eye on Met Éireann for any updates as the forecast firms up.

This article summarizes the Irish weather forecast as of early July 2026; forecasts are subject to change, and you should always check Met Éireann for the most up-to-date information and any official warnings.