Main findings ● The maximum temperatures on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July would have been expected to occur on average once in every 14 years in the pre-industrial climate. Today, with 1.3°C of human-caused global warming, similar events are expected to occur once every 6 years. ● If warming reaches 2.6°C, which is expected this century under current policies, similar two-day periods of heat are expected to become a 1-in-3-year event. ● On July 12, temperatures across much of the country exceeded 28°C, and went as high as 31°C. These temperatures were made approximately 1.4°C warmer as a result of human-caused global warming. A similar increase in temperature was found for the two-day event. ● Specifically, looking at the high temperatures on Saturday the 12, they would have been expected to happen once in every 21 years in a 1.3°C cooler climate. Now, with human-caused global warming they are expected to happen once in every 8 years. ● A wide range of impacts highlight how extreme heat could be an emerging risk in Ireland. High night-time temperatures have potential dangerous effects for people with underlying health conditions if their bodies don’t manage to properly rest and recover. Red level forest fire warnings underlined the increased fire threat experienced under rising temperatures. High temperatures also caused a section of road to melt in Co. Cork and also put a strain on an already struggling water supply network.