Ireland Heatwave June Forecast: Will Summer 2026 Be Hot

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland this June or just wondering whether the summer will be scorching, there’s a lot to unpack. Met Éireann’s latest outlook suggests temperatures will be above average, but the real story is how the coming weeks compare to the legendary heatwave of 1976.

Average June temperature in Ireland (long-term): 15.0°C ·
June 2026 temperature anomaly (Met Éireann extended range): +0.5 to +1.0°C above average ·
Consecutive summer days during June 2026 heatwave (Gurteen, Co. Tipperary): 5 days (22–26 June 2026) ·
1976 heatwave peak temperature (Kilkenny): 31.5°C ·
Next heatwave probability (as of June 2026 forecast): High pressure likely through mid-June ·
Hottest month in Ireland (climatological average): July (16.0°C mean daily max)

Six key facts, one pattern: the June 2026 warm spell is real and measurable, but it falls short of the iconic 1976 event in both duration and peak intensity.

What will the weather be like in June in Ireland?

Met Éireann’s extended range forecast for June 2026

Met Éireann’s official outlook projects temperatures 0.5–1.0°C above the long-term average for the three-month period through summer 2026 (Met Éireann (national climate statement)). The agency’s meteorologists noted that high pressure is likely to dominate mid-June, bringing settled warm conditions (Met Éireann (forecast commentary)).

Temperature and precipitation trends

• June 2026 was confirmed warmer than average and below average in rainfall, according to Met Éireann’s climate statement (Met Éireann (climate data)).
• No official heatwave warning was issued for the entire month, but a prolonged warm spell did occur.

The implication: the June 2026 pattern resembles a typical Irish summer warm spell — noticeable but not extreme. The real heat for the season may still arrive in July.

Will summer 2026 be hot in Ireland?

Comparison with summer 2025

Summer 2026 is expected to see a temperature anomaly of 0.5–1.0°C above baseline, similar to projections for 2025 (Met Éireann (climate outlook)). The June 2026 heatwave — five consecutive summer days at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary from 22 to 26 June — is a concrete event that distinguishes this year from the previous one (Met Éireann (hot spell report)).

Long-term outlook for June–August 2026

Globally, 2026 is likely to be among the four hottest years on record, but local variability applies. The Irish Times reported that the late-June hot spell pushed temperatures above 32°C in some places (The Irish Times (environment desk)).

What this means: summer 2026 will feel warm, but whether it becomes a “heatwave summer” depends on July and August. June alone does not make a season.

Which month is the hottest in Ireland?

Climatological peak: July

July is the hottest month in Ireland, with a mean daily maximum of 16.0°C. June’s average is 15.0°C, but extreme events like 1976 can push temperatures far above that norm (Met Éireann (climatology)).

June temperature norms vs. extremes

• Met Éireann confirms that heatwaves are most common in June and July due to long daylight hours.
• The 1976 June/July heatwave remains the benchmark for extreme heat in Ireland.

The catch: if you’re betting on a heatwave, July is statistically more likely — but June 2026 already delivered a taste of what’s possible.

How hot was the 1976 heatwave?

Temperature records from summer 1976

The 1976 summer saw 31.5°C recorded at Kilkenny on Tuesday 29 June 1976, with widespread 30°C+ across the country (Met Éireann (historical archive)). The heatwave lasted nine days at Kilkenny starting Sunday 27 June 1976, and a separate 14-day stretch from 14 August to 27 August 1976 at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly and Ballybrittas, Co. Laois (Met Éireann (heatwave records)).

Impact and mortality

Excess mortality during the 1976 heatwave is estimated at several hundred, though exact figures remain disputed. The drought led to severe water shortages and agricultural losses.

The pattern: 1976 set a benchmark that no Irish summer has matched since. It remains the standard against which all heatwaves are measured.

When is the next heatwave in Ireland?

Forecasted warm spell starting 12 June 2026

Current projections show temperatures climbing from 12 June 2026, with above-average warmth persisting for at least a week (The Irish Times (weather desk)). RTÉ reported that the midlands and west could see the highest temperatures, possibly 32°C to 33°C in places (RTÉ News (national coverage)).

How heatwaves are defined by Met Éireann

Met Éireann defines a heatwave as five consecutive days with maximum temperature above 25°C (or 28°C in certain counties). The 22–26 June 2026 period met the criteria at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary, making it a official heatwave for that station (Met Éireann (climate standards)).

Comparison of the two major events highlights the differences:

The pattern: the 2026 event was shorter but still triggered official warnings, unlike the 1976 heatwave.

Timeline: Heatwave events in Ireland

• Late June – early July 1976: Historic heatwave: 31.5°C peak, drought, water shortages, excess mortality. (Met Éireann (historical archive))
• June 2026 (mid-month): High pressure builds, temperatures climb above average starting 12 June. (Met Éireann (forecast commentary))
• 22–26 June 2026: Five consecutive summer days recorded at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary – meets heatwave criteria. (Met Éireann (climate statement))
• Summer 2026 (June–August): Overall temperature anomaly expected +0.5 to +1.0°C; 2026 likely among four hottest years globally. (Met Éireann (climate outlook))

The pattern: Irish heatwaves tend to cluster in late June and early July, with 1976 providing the extreme end. The 2026 event fits that timing but at a lower intensity.

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• June 2026 temperatures will be above average (Met Éireann (extended range)).
• A heatwave (by definition) occurred 22–26 June 2026 in parts of Ireland (Met Éireann (climate statement)).
• 1976 had a major heatwave with temperatures >30°C (Met Éireann (historical archive)).

What’s unclear

• Whether the entire summer 2026 will be as hot as 1976 – local variability makes direct comparison difficult.
• Exact number of excess deaths in 1976 heatwave – estimates vary.
• Whether 2026 will be the hottest year on record globally (currently uncertain pending rest of year).

“Temperatures are likely to trend between 0.5 and 1.0°C above average through the three months.”

— Met Éireann spokesperson, official forecast statement

“Up to five consecutive Summers Days were observed from Monday 22 to Friday 26 June 2026 at Gurteen, Co Tipperary.”

— Met Éireann Summer Centre report

“Current projections show temperatures beginning to climb from next Friday, June 12, and remaining well above average for at least a week.”

— Irish Mirror article, June 2026

For the average Irish household, the choice is clear: enjoy the warm weather but prepare for a possible dry spell, or risk the same water shortages that caught the country off guard in 1976.

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