What made 2023 Ireland's hottest year on record

Met Éireann's latest report, the 'Provisional State of the Irish Climate Report 2023,' reveals a historic milestone as Ireland experiences an annual average temperature exceeding 11°C for the first time in 124 years.

Surpassing the previous record set in 2022 by a marginal 0.1°C, this marks a notable shift in climate patterns.

Keith Lambkin, Head of Climate Services at Met Éireann, describes the year as "remarkable" with unprecedented levels of rainfall and warming at various points.


This year marks the first time Ireland's annual average temperature has surpassed 11°C. The warmest year prior to this was 2022, with an annual average temperature of nearly 10.9°C, edging out 2007 by a mere 0.1°C.

Weather highlights of the year

This year featured notable weather occurrences, including the country's warmest June, the wettest March, and the wettest July on record. Remarkably, four months ranked among their top five warmest in 23 years.

In January 2023, the lowest temperature hit -7.2°C on Tuesday, January 17, at Lullymore Nature Centre, Co Kildare. February ranked as the fifth mildest and sixth driest.

March 2023 marked the wettest March in recorded history, and April witnessed Storm Noa, bringing storm force winds and waves up to 17.3m on the Kerry and Cork coast.

In May 2023, the second-highest temperature for May was recorded.

June 2023 set a new record as the warmest June, marking the first time average temperatures surpassed 16°C.

July 2023 earned the title of the wettest July on record and also claimed the distinction of being the wettest month in 2023.

August saw significant flooding during Storm Betty.

In September 2023, the third-highest temperatures of the month occurred, featuring unusual heatwaves and reaching the year's peak at 29.1°C on September 8th at Lullymore Nature Centre in Co Kildare.

October 2023 became the second wettest month of the year, marked by Cork Airport experiencing its highest-ever October rainfall at 222% of the long-term average from 1981-2020. The occurrence of Storm Babet led to substantial flooding.

November also witnessed increased rainfall and subsequent flooding.

In 2023, a total of eleven storms were named, with Elin, Fergus, and Gerrit making up the three storms in December.

FAQs:

Q1: When was Met Éireann founded?
A1: 1936.

Q2: Who is the Director of Met Éireann?
A2: Eoin Moran.