June was hottest month for a decade

Temperatures topped 25C last month, as parts of the country recorded the warmest weather in at least five to 10 years.

In its weather summary for June, Met Éireann said the highest temperature of the month was recorded on June 18 in Fermoy where 26C was recorded in Moore Park — the hottest day recorded there since 1995.

Mean temperatures were all above average, with deviations from the mean, ranging from 13.4C at Malin Head to 15.2C at Shannon Airport.

The temperatures recorded across the country were the highest in at least five to 10 years. Sunshine totals were near or above average, with Valentia Observatory reporting its sunniest June in 74 years with 265 hours of sunshine.

The month’s sunniest day was recorded at Belmullet in Mayo on June 17, with 15.8 hours — its sunniest June day since 1995.

The number of dull days (less than 0.5 hours of sunshine) ranged from one at Dublin Airport, equalling its lowest number of dull days since 1986, to five at Casement Aerodrome.

The majority of weather stations reported below-average rainfall, with the exception of a few stations in the Midlands and south.

Dublin’s Phoenix Park weather station recorded its lowest June rainfall in eight years, with 29.6mm.

Some stations in these regions reported above-average rainfall totals. Heavy showers between June 6 and 10 and on June 26, accounted for a third or more of above-average rainfall totals, with the month’s wettest day at Sherkin Island on June 6 reporting 34.8 mm, more than half the stations monthly total of 60mm. Monthly average wind speeds across most of the country were the lowest on record, with Mullingar, Co Westmeath reporting its calmest June in 64 years.

No gale force winds were reported during the month, with gusts greater than 34 knots only reported on June 4 and 6 in areas in the south and southwest.