Met Éireann’s orange thunderstorm alert for Cork ended at 4pm.

Forecasters said scattered thunderstorms moving northwards from the south could still bring lightning, hail, poor visibility and localised flooding in affected areas.

Despite the storm risk, much of the country remained very warm or hot, with the highest temperatures forecast for the west and midwest.

A separate status yellow high-temperature warning for Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly expired at 6pm.

Met Éireann said temperatures nationally would range from 22C to 31C, while Munster could see highs of between 25C and 31C.

The latest hot spell has already broken Irish May temperature records several times in recent days, with Shannon Airport recording a provisional high of 30.5C on Tuesday.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy said the heatwave is nearing its end.

“After today it will be back to a typical mix of Irish weather and not as warm,” he said.

Temperatures are expected to return to the high teens and low 20s by the bank holiday weekend.

Making the most of the sunshine 

In Cork on Tuesday, people were out in force soaking up the sunshine, with the heat lifting spirits across the city.

At The Marina in Blackrock, Liz McCarthy said the weather had “transformed the entire community”, putting everyone in a good mood, as she walked with Ann Bassett.

“It feels like a snapshot of a proper summer,” Liz said.

Ann added: “It’s great. All the kids are out playing, they get to see each other more, and we get to see our neighbours. It’s lovely.” 

But something which has been “damaging the peace and privacy we have in our gardens” has been drones delivering takeaway food, a project which is being piloted in the area, Liz said.

Georgia Griffin and Tom Prendergast were also enjoying the sunshine in Marina Park after finishing their final-year exams — Georgia completing a four-year biomedical science degree at Trinity and Tom a degree in business.

The sunshine is “brilliant”, Tom said. “Everyone’s out, everyone’s in a good mood. It’s great to see the city like this.” 

Portia Lehane, from Carrigaline, and Robert Lukins, from Midleton, said they had no plans other than simply enjoying the sun in Marina Park.

“I feel like everyone’s been looking forward to it for the last two weeks. It’s nice to see it [the sun] actually came,” said Portia.

Robert added: “You see so many more people outside. Especially in a park like this in summer, it’s way more enjoyable than every other day.” 

Paramedics Sarah O’Neill, from Tower, and John Walsh, from Kinsale, were sipping on coffees as they basked in the rays.

“I’m just relaxing and taking in as much sun as I can before night shift tonight... working on the ambulance,” Sarah said.

Paramedics with Siptu and Unite have been engaged in a work-to-rule amid a dispute over pay and conditions.

“It’s frustrating,” John said of the industrial dispute.

“We obviously care about our patients and our job so much. But this is ongoing for 15 years now.” 

John said he plans to swim this evening to “jump in and cool off” in Sandycove or Oysterhaven, his favourite places for a dip near Kinsale.

Ava Joyce, from Douglas, was with her mum and sister, before her sister heads off to Thailand for a month.

“I love the sunshine,” Ava said. “I wish it was like this all the time.” 

Brazilians Katia Cristina Jeremia and Inaci Raema said the weather reminds them of life back home in Sao Paulo.

“Today is so beautiful, a sunny day — it’s like Brazil,” Katia said.