Ireland records warmest ever spring, with temperatures more than 2C above average
Bees pollinating a Cherry tree in Athy, Co Kildare (Niall Carson/PA)
Spring 2025 was Ireland’s warmest and sunniest on record, according to Met Éireann — marking the hottest spring in 126 years of recorded data.
It was also the first spring in which average temperatures exceeded the 20th-century norm by more than 2°C.
Most weather stations recorded the highest total hours of sunshine for the season, making it the sunniest spring ever recorded, according to the national meteorological service.
Spring 2025: Warmest 🌡️ and Sunniest Spring on Record for Ireland, Dry and Calm #ClimateofIreland
— Climate Services @ Met Éireann (@METclimate) June 5, 2025
More details here 👉 https://t.co/YTqRPVuNe0 pic.twitter.com/Z4mWiygSvd
The season’s highest temperature was observed in Athenry, Co Galway, on a Wednesday in May, when the mercury hit 25.9C — the highest spring temperature in 15 years of local records.
Spring 2025 was also relatively dry, provisionally ranking as the 16th driest spring since 1941, and the driest since 2020.
Due to the warmer, calmer, and sunnier conditions, a marine heatwave developed off Ireland’s west coast during April and May, with sea surface temperatures rising over 2C above average in coastal waters and up to 4C above average further offshore.
The latest data from Met Éireann confirms Ireland’s warmest and sunniest meteorological spring on record, driven by persistent high-pressure systems that dominated the season and brought extensive sunshine.
These blocking high-pressure systems, often positioned just north of Ireland and the UK, produced predominantly easterly winds that contributed to record-high sea surface temperatures to Ireland’s south and west.
All three spring months saw air temperatures well above average at most stations, resulting in record-breaking seasonal warmth across nearly the entire country.
March was mild, dry, and sunny, with high pressure prevailing for most of the month and weak upper-level steering winds, Met Éireann reported.
April was generally warm and sunny. High pressure to the north brought a dry easterly airflow in the first half of the month.
The second half turned wetter, as Atlantic low-pressure systems brought spells of heavy rain, particularly affecting the Midlands, South, and East.
By the end of April, high pressure returned, delivering record-breaking warmth for the month.
May continued the pattern, with high pressure dominating for much of the month. An easterly airflow brought consistent sunshine until the final week, when Atlantic low pressure returned, bringing rain and scattered showers.
Twenty-three of 25 weather stations recorded their warmest spring ever. Only Dunsany in Co Meath recorded its second warmest, while Dublin Airport matched its third warmest.
Notably, Oak Park in Co Carlow, Moore Park in Co Cork, Athenry in Co Galway, and Casement in Co Dublin each experienced their warmest spring for the third year in a row.
Meanwhile, Roches Point in Co Cork and Markree in Co Sligo had their warmest spring for the second consecutive year.
