Summer rated the best in seven years as forecasters predict more of same

It’s the summer that keeps on giving. Even as Met Éireann rates our summer the best in seven years, forecasters are predicting the good weather is to continue for at least the rest of the week.

Figures for last month show that we enjoyed above-average temperatures across the country. In line with previous months, rainfall also lower than expected, said Met Éireann.

However, despite the dry spell, August was a particularly dull month.

Contrary to the early summer months, weather stations nationwide all reported below-average sunshine.

The hot weather was particularly felt in southern coastal counties and Dublin, with some stations reporting their warmest August in up to a decade.

Conditions in Belmullet, Co Mayo, where 2013 gave both the driest August in seven years and the dullest since 1994, were representative of much of the country.

For a time in July, it seemed the sweltering temperatures and blistering sunshine would never end as people all over the country made the most of the great weather and flocked to over-crowded beaches like moths to a flaming ball of light.

Figures from around the country reflected the unusual tropical conditions, with many stations reporting their warmest July on record.

Fermoy weather station in Co Cork recorded its highest summer temperature since 1989, of almost 29 degrees celsius, on July 10 — just shy of the 31 degrees recorded at Dooks, Co Kerry.

In contrast, June began with a spell of cool weather which was reflected by lowest minimum temperatures around the country being recorded during the month.

Passengers at Cork airport would have enjoyed beautiful summer weather too, it being bathed in sunshine for more than 600 hours — the most ever recorded since the station there opened in 1962.

This summer has been rated the best in seven years and, with more good weather forecast for the coming week, it might be time to plan one last summer adventure while you still can.