Met Éireann says July was among ‘hottest, driest and sunniest months on record’
All monthly rainfall totals across the country were below their 1991-2020 long-term average
Met Éireann, Ireland's meteorological service, has reported that July 2023 was among the "hottest, driest and sunniest months on record" for the country. These extreme weather conditions prompted 64 towns, villages, and surrounding areas in 12 counties to implement night-time water restrictions due to depleted lakes and reservoirs.
A nationwide hosepipe ban remains in effect until August 26th, with stricter limitations for areas under night-time restrictions, prohibiting even essential water uses until the early hours of the morning.
Rainfall for the month was severely limited, with only one-sixth of the average rainfall recorded nationwide. Some locations received less than 2mm of rain throughout the entire month, with Cork Airport, Moore Park, Co. Cork, Oak Park, Co. Carlow, and Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford only recording 1.1mm, 1.1mm, 1.5mm, and 1.5mm respectively. In total, all 25 Met Éireann weather stations reported lower-than-average rainfall, with 20 experiencing absolute drought, meaning at least 15 consecutive days with minimal rainfall.
The hot and dry spell also coincided with widespread heatwaves, with five consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 25 degrees Celsius observed at seven of the 25 weather stations. Moore Park experienced the longest heatwave, lasting for 13 days, nearly surpassing the all-time record set in 1976. While temperatures have since cooled, Met Éireann's forecast predicts a continuation of above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall throughout August.
Johnstown Castle had a record-breaking month, with 332.4 hours of sunshine and potentially breaking the national sunniest month record, currently held at 308.2 hours by Valentia, Co. Kerry in 1955. Phoenix Park also set a new record, with 36 consecutive days of temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius between June 30th and August 3rd, surpassing the previous record of 34 days set in 1995.
The coolest temperatures of the month were recorded on July 31st, with a minimum air temperature of 5.1 degrees Celsius in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, and a grass minimum of 0.7 degrees Celsius in Dunsany, Co. Meath. The highest temperature recorded during the month was 30.0 degrees Celsius on July 12th, observed at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry – the station's highest temperature on record.
No air or ground frost was reported during July. Seventeen of the 25 weather stations reported their driest July on record, with Cork Airport, Moore Park, Oak Park, and Johnstown Castle all setting their driest monthly records.
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