New all-time April temperature record set, Met Éireann says
The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3C, which was recorded in Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A weather station in Co Galway recorded a temperature of 25.9C on Wednesday, breaking the previous all-time temperature record for the month of April, according to provisional data released by Met Éireann.
Ireland has experienced an extraordinary burst of early heat, with 17 weather stations across the country breaking their highest-ever April temperature records.
A temperature of 25.9C was recorded at the weather station in Athenry, Co Galway on Wednesday afternoon. This is 0.1C higher than the previous high set in Co Donegal in April 1984.
The forecaster says the new reading will be quality-controlled and verified before it is officially confirmed.
The second-highest temperature recorded on Wednesday was 25.7C in Newport, Co Mayo. Mount Dillon in Co Roscommon reached 25C.
Met Éireann noted that this is only the second time in recorded history that temperatures in Ireland have surpassed 25C during the month of April.
The weather service also classified today as the second-earliest instance of what it terms a “climatological summer day” — defined by maximum temperatures exceeding 25C.
The highest overall temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3C, which was recorded in Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887.
Meanwhile, the outlook for the next few days indicates that the weather will get cooler, but will mostly be dry and settled.
There will be a bit of a contrast in conditions across the country on Thursday, with cooler conditions to the north and warmer conditions to the south, Met Éireann said.
"In Connacht and Ulster, it'll start out mostly cloudy with a little patchy light rain and drizzle, but clearer, sunnier conditions will spread from the northwest for the afternoon," said Met Éireann.
"It'll feel much cooler there, with highest temperatures 12C to 17C, in light to moderate northerly winds.
"In most of Leinster and Munster, however, Thursday will be mostly sunny to begin. It'll be a bit cloudier, though, in northern areas, with a little drizzle possible.
"Cloud will build further for the afternoon, with some scattered showers breaking out, which will possibly be heavy and thundery, especially across southern counties."
Highest temperatures will reach 18C to 24C.
Friday will be cooler than it has been recently, but it will be mostly dry, with just a few light showers. Temperatures will range from 13C in the north to 18C in the soutwest.
Heading into the bank holiday weekend, Saturday will be dry and bright, with "sunny spells" in many parts.
"Dry and sunny for most at first before cloud in the north sinks southwards bringing a few spots of light rain or drizzle for a time before clearing to more good spells of sunshine," Met Éireann said.
Temperatures will be cooled as the mercury falls back to 12C to 16C.
Sunday will see the weather turn "cloudier in the morning but still with sunny spells".
"Some well scattered showers will develop, mostly likely over Leinster and parts of Munster."
It will again be cooler, with temperatures falling back to highs of 11C to 15C.
Bank holiday Monday will see similar temperatures, leaving "a mostly dry day with just the odd light shower possible".
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