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Met Eireann Weather and Climate Review 2021

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Date: 31 Dec 2021

Look back at some of the weather highlights in Ireland during the year

Met Eireann has released their reivew of the weather and climate trends for 2021.  

Here are some of the most interesting statistics gathered from the year gone by: 

1) The year began with unsettled and rather wet start as Atlantic low pressure dominated the weather in Ireland, steering Storm Christoph our way in January with further spells of wet weather in February. 

2) April’s weather consisted of mainly cold and dry conditions due to a cool polar airmass dominating the country.

3) Autumn 2021 was the warmest on record for 2021.

4) On July 22nd, Valentia, Co. Kerry experienced the first tropical night in Ireland for 20 years with temperature not dropping below 20.5 degrees Celsius.  

5) In July, at least ten weather stations across Ireland reached heatwave conditions, where temperatures of at least 25°C were recorded for 5 days or more in a row.

6) Storm Barra brought disruptive weather in December with the highest gust of wind of 135km/h (73 knot) recorded on Tuesday 7th December on Sherkin Island, Co. Cork.  

7) The highest air temperature was 31.2 degrees celsius on 22nd July in Durrow, Co. Laois.

8) The lowest air temperature was –9.2 degrees celsius on 9th January in Durrow, Co. Laois.
 

Speaking about these statistics, Keith Lambkin, Senior Climatologist at Met Éireann said: “These temperature trends we are seeing in Ireland are in line with the average temperature rise we are seeing around the world, due to human caused climate change.  While future temperature projections vary depending on many factors, ‘all’ future projections suggest further warming.  This warming, as well as associated defensive actions, is likely to affect everyone in some shape or form.”