The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland is tipped to be reached today in the Mayo region, where the National TT Champs are taking place, with heavy rain, along with thunder and lightning expected in the evening (Photo: AlinaMD)
The competition is always hot at the National Time Trial Championships, with the specialists turning out and hoping to get the best out of themselves. But at today's 2026 Irish title races in Co Mayo the riders will be feeling the heat for a different reason.
Met Éireann has issued an extreme weather warning, because of the very high temperatures expected today, Thursday. And the national meteorological services is forecasting Co Mayo, in particular, will sizzle today.
Heavy downpours with hail are also expected in the west of Ireland later today, with frequent lightning and gusty winds
Forecasters have said conditions in the county may get so warm that a new record could be set for the highest temperature ever recorded in the Republic.
They are predicting the mercury will rise to 33°C, perhaps a little more, and exceed the record highest air temperature recorded – 33.3°C on June 26th, 1887, at Kilkenny Castle.
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A 'Status Yellow' high temperature warning has already been in place for days, because of the very warm weather, and will remain in effect until 9am tomorrow, Friday. Met Éireann has warned of intense heat and humidity.
The riders in the Irish TT Championships today will start their effort just east of Swinford and ride east in the direction of Roscommon before turning for the return journey.
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The peak of today's temperature is forecast to be recorded in Newport, which is about 50km west of Swinford.
However, Met Éireann is predicting the hottest conditions in the country will be across the Mayo-Roscommon region, which covers the full distance of the TT course.
It means while Newport has been pinpointed as the location the very highest temperature will be recorded in, the entire region of Mayo-Roscommon is in for scorcher.
The riders will at least not race in the middle of the day, meaning things should have cooled down somewhat by the time the race gets underway.
The first rider is off at 6.30pm while the last man off - defending men's senior champion Ryan Mullen (NSN Cycling Team) - won't start his effort until 7:52pm.
However, thunderstorms are forecast for the evening, which may impact the riders.
"Thursday will be a hot and humid day across the country. Apart from a few patches of drizzle in the northwest early on, it will be dry with good sunshine for most," Met Éireann said.
"There is potential for thunderstorms to develop later in the day, most likely in the west and northwest. Heavy downpours with hail, frequent lightning and gusty winds are all possible if and where these occur.
"Highest temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees, possibly higher in some places, with the hottest temperatures across the midlands and west. East to southeast breezes will be light to moderate."
