Met Éireann has issued a hot weather warning as temperatures of up to 30 degrees are forecast across the country for this week.
The status yellow high temperature warning will be in place from noon on Tuesday until Friday morning.
The forecaster said daytime temperatures would be in excess of 27 degrees during the week before climbing towards 30 degrees on Thursday. Minimum night-time temperatures of 15 degrees are expected.
Gerry Murphy, Met Éireann forecaster and meteorologist, said Europe was currently experiencing a heat dome, which he described as an area of high pressure that compresses the air “down on to the Earth”, causing it to become “stagnant”. As a result the “air is not moving anywhere so the temperature just keeps increasing”.
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Despite the weather being mainly dry, he said there is a chance of drizzle on the west coast, especially on Wednesday, and Thursday, the hottest day, may feature thunderstorms.
He said by Friday temperatures would return to the low to mid 20s, as a low pressure moved closer to Ireland, and would drop further by the weekend.
“We are under the influence of it [the heat dome], but not at the centre of it ... so our temperatures are not quite as high” as across continental Europe, he said.
This will “probably not” be a heatwave, as the definition for one is any particular location having a temperature in excess of 25 degrees for five days. “For most places, if not all, the temperatures will only maintain that level for four days.”
At Dublin Zoo, shaded areas, blood lollies and sun cream will be used to help the animals keep cool.
Zookeeper Bri Walsh said animals with thick coats such as red pandas and cat species struggled most with the heat.
Misters, water cannons, water pools and slabs of ice will be offered to all animals to help them cool down. She also explained that penguins will blush more to help their body naturally cool while elephants flap their large ears.
Carnivores will be offered blood lollies, which Walsh likened to a Calippo made from blood or meat scraps. Penguins and sea lions will receive a fish version while vegetarian primates will be offered a variety of ice blocks made with fruit and vegetables.
Zookeepers will also be tasked with applying a special sun cream to pigs’ ears to prevent them from burning.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management is co-ordinating with key stakeholders to prepare for the high temperatures expected across Ireland over the coming days and nights.
Joanne Walsh, chief executive of Water Safety Ireland, advised bathers to swim where a lifeguard is present if possible and to be aware of how cold the water would be as “warm air does not mean warm water”.
Walsh said her largest concern was surrounding teenagers, as they may partake in “risky behaviour” or consume alcohol.
“I would say to teenagers out there to please look after each other ... don’t encourage your friend to engage in risky behaviour and if a friend is engaging with behaviour, try to be the mature one and say, ‘Look, that is risky’.
“Don’t overestimate your ability and underestimate your risk ... anyone can drown, but no one should.”
The HSE is advising the public to take extra precautions during the coming daysas heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Dr Caitriona Kelly, consultant in public health medicine, said: “High temperatures can cause people to become very sick.
“We are urging people to keep cool and stay hydrated during the hot weather. This is especially important for older people, young children and those with chronic medical conditions”.
Dublin Fire Brigade is advising the public to be extra vigilant and exercise caution as prolonged dry weather can significantly increase the risk of gorse and vegetation fires.
The public are being encouraged to act responsibly, avoid activities that could inadvertently start a fire, dispose of litter appropriately and report any signs of fire immediately.
Fingal County Council confirmed a number of lifeguards would be on duty across the region. Typically lifeguards would only be present on weekends until July in the area.
In Dublin, lifeguards have been confirmed at the following beaches on different days: Balcarrick Beach, Portmarnock Beach, Balbriggan Beach, Sutton Beach, Claremont Beach and Burrow Beach, where teenager Abbie Carmody-Pepper died while swimming in May.
The latest forecast comes amid heatwaves in several parts of Europe, including France.
French authorities have put more than a third of the country under a red heat alert, cancelled some outdoor sports events and restricted alcohol consumption at a nationwide music event amid forecasted temperatures of more than 40 degrees.
The hot weather is also pushing the mercury into the high 30s and up to 40 in parts of Spain, Germany and Italy.
