If my memory serves me correctly I think that reading today may mean that Castlederg (not too far from where I grew up) now holds the record for both the highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Northern Ireland?

Indeed -19c back in the classic December 2010.

Must have been quite a short but intense surge of heat at Castlederg. At 2pm it was only 27.0C. By 3pm it was 30.4C and then by 4pm it was back down to 28.5C.

Probably due to the fact that it is located in a valley of sorts. 

The temperature got above 30c at a few locations in Ireland today, which is generally a once a decade event here. What is particularly unusual about this heatwave is that we are experiencing conditions as warm or warmer than Britain. What has made this spell so intense for us?

My guess is the very dry weather we have had leading up to it. The ground is bone dry - the grass has turned brown everywhere around here. That helps the air to warm up quicker I believe. In contrast it has been very wet across the water in recent weeks, therefore the ground contains more moisture which means less heat in the air as the sun's energy is used to evaporate the water. That's my take anyway - could be totally wrong!!

The Northern Ireland record may go again tomorrow

The Northern Ireland record may go again tomorrow

Yes the local forecast on BBC suggested 32 is possible !

The temperature got above 30c at a few locations in Ireland today, which is generally a once a decade event here. What is particularly unusual about this heatwave is that we are experiencing conditions as warm or warmer than Britain. What has made this spell so intense for us?

Not that unusual. 30c or above was reached somewhere in 2013 & 2018 for example. 

Will it ever end?

The house is infernally hot. Broken sickly sleep, went outside to cool down and the outside air offered no relief. Time to sit in a cold bath for the next hour. 

Will it ever end?

The house is infernally hot. Broken sickly sleep, went outside to cool down and the outside air offered no relief. Time to sit in a cold bath for the next hour. 

Man up ! lol  One more day. 

We've been spared this one. Night time temps have been around 15-16c with daytime temps 27-28c. 

Temps have fallen sub 20c as early as 9pm until 8am meaning the house gets at least some chance to cool down somewhat.

Last year was horrendous though with 7 days of >20c mins and >30c days in calm conditions.

After a slightly cooler day in North Somerset on Tuesday the temp was 30.5C when on the move in the car yesterday afternoon. 

I drove down the Dorset in the at 4pm and the temperature remained between 29.5C and 30.5C all the way:

Expecting another hot one today.

Good chance for Norn Iron to have its first ever 90f day today.

Meanwhile the temp records keep tumbling.  Turkey new all time temperature 49.1c

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.duvarenglish.com/amp/turkey-breaks-1961-record-for-hottest-temperature-with-4910c-news-58257&ved=2ahUKEwjf8brLlPbxAhXYi1wKHUOXC2kQFjAAegQIAxAC&usg=AOvVaw13NCXg_dqkv8EJxWlczdkz&ampcf=1

 

My guess is the very dry weather we have had leading up to it. The ground is bone dry - the grass has turned brown everywhere around here. That helps the air to warm up quicker I believe. In contrast it has been very wet across the water in recent weeks, therefore the ground contains more moisture which means less heat in the air as the sun's energy is used to evaporate the water. That's my take anyway - could be totally wrong!!

It might perhaps explain why NI has had slightly higher temperatures than down here. Looking at the MetEireann monthly data:

https://www.met.ie/climate/available-data/monthly-data

After a dry June, rainfall for July down here hasn't been too far off normal at many stations. I'm not sure where to find the equivalent NI data but unlike with you our grass is still green here so perhaps the extra dryness has just pushed temperatures up a notch or two up your way. I don't think that it explains the very unusual situation where Ireland is hotter than Britain though. How often do we see forecasts for hot sunshine in Britain while this side of the Irish Sea sees cloud and mist? Ireland sometimes feels like the place where British clouds take their summer holidays!

 

Last year was horrendous though with 7 days of >20c mins and >30c days in calm conditions.

This just sounds horrific and I don't envy you suffering this on a far more frequent basis that we would over here. 

But it isn't just one more day as looks like this crap is to continue on right over the weekend in this part of the country.  Sick to death of it. 

We've been spared this one. Night time temps have been around 15-16c with daytime temps 27-28c. 

Temps have fallen sub 20c as early as 9pm until 8am meaning the house gets at least some chance to cool down somewhat.

Last year was horrendous though with 7 days of >20c mins and >30c days in calm conditions.

Here, SW of London, any North Sea influence is heavily modified so it has become humid and rather hot as opposed to a proper furnace like in recent years. This is mainly down to the heat being home grown and not imported from a hot continent. Add in the high soil moisture and it does get a bit oppressive. Minimums in my semi-urban garden have been 14-16'c but with the house absorbing the heat from the sun it has still been a challenge to sleep! 

Here, SW of London, any North Sea influence is heavily modified so it has become humid and rather hot as opposed to a proper furnace like in recent years.

Even here, half a mile from the North Sea - and with an onshore breeze - the humidity has been the most noticable thing. Normally it tops off at 17 or 18C dewpoints in a hot spell, but this time 19 or 20C has been common. Indeed, the past few days it's hit 21C around lunchtime.

Even though the highs haven't been especially noteworthy here, the humidity has made it a sweat-fest. It really does make it feel much warmer than it really is!

(Last year in that hot spell Gusty mentions dewpoints started off around the 15C mark but quickly declined to single figures as the spell wore on. 30C with an 8C dewpoint feels much more pleasant than 26C with a 21C dewpoint!)