Why will we be cool and comfortable while the rest of Europe is sweating it out?
In case you're unaware the rest of Europe is currently facing a very dangerous heatwave.
In France, Bordeaux has reported its highest temperature (41.2C) since records began, meanwhile the UK is in for its hottest day ever.
And while Irish temperatures will remain fairly warm tomorrow, we needn't fear the scorching conditions expected in the UK and on the mainland.
According to Met Éireann we can expect temperatures of between 19 and 24 degrees across Ireland tomorrow, with the weather remaining warm and humid despite some scattered showers in the West and South of the country.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Met Éireann meteorologist Harm Luijkx explained that while Ireland will be still be warm over the coming days, the “influence of the Atlantic” explains why it'll be so much cooler.
Here is our 7 day Atlantic Chart, showing the pressure and precipitation forecast in 6 hours intervals.https://t.co/9Giuj4CR5mhttps://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/YQggfv78oF
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) July 24, 2019
Mr. Luijkx explained how Ireland’s position means the Irish sea acts as a buffer to warm air currents coming from Europe.
In Europe “the heat is coming from the land, which is much hotter” than air coming from the sea, Luijkx said.
“Because we’re surrounded by water, that is always going to cool the air,” he added.
This means that whenever Ireland does have a hot spell, it usually comes from the Atlantic, not mainland Europe.
But why is the UK so hot?
Basically the UK sees higher temperatures because it's separated by a smaller body of water from mainland Europe than Ireland is.
The English Channel is much narrower and “air doesn’t have to cross a large body of water”, Luijkx said.
What this means is that even as the UK and the rest of Europe swelters in the coming days, Ireland is likely to remain a lot more cool and comfortable.
