Europe had one of the warmest summers on record, new data shows

Enjoying the sunshine at the Dock bar in Kinsale, Co. Cork, were UCC students Ciara Donoughue, Eimear Sugrue, Roisín Dillon, Tarra McGrath and Rachel O'Leary. Picture: Denis Boyle

After one of the hottest Autumn days in Ireland in just over a century, new figures show that Europe has just had one of its warmest summers in 30 years.

Temperatures soared into the high 20s yesterday, as a warm airmass originating in North Africa moved up across the country.