Met Éireann: Last month marked the driest July on record and second hottest in 126 years

The national mean July temperature was 17.25C. Some 25 weather stations had dry spells. Another 20 reported having absolute droughts, and 15 reported partial droughts. Picture: Chani Anderson

Last month was one of the "hottest, driest and sunniest months on record for Ireland", according to Met Éireann. 

It was the second hottest July since 1900 and the driest July on record. 

Last month marked the third hottest month overall, with the hottest month record set in August 1995 which had mean temperature of 17.75C. 

The national mean July temperature was 17.25C. 

Some 25 weather stations had dry spells. Another 20 reported having absolute droughts, and 15 reported partial droughts.

The latest Climate Statement from Met Éireann shows that the highest temperature for the month was recorded at Valentia Observatory in Kerry at 30C. 

This was its highest July and all-month temperature on record since 1889. 

Eight weather stations across the south and east also had their warmest July on record in a month that was dominated by high pressure. 

Of those, four of them had their warmest month on record. 

These were Cork Airport at a mean temperature of 18.5C, Moore Park near Fermoy in Cork at 18.8C, Phoenix Park at 18.2C and Casement in Dublin at 18C. 

The national forecaster said the record for these stations had not been broken for 62-127 years.  

Additionally, Phoenix Park reported 36 days in a row with a maximum temperature of over 20C between June 30 and August 3. 

Met Éireann said it is still ongoing. 

"This surpasses the previous record at a synoptic station of 34 days at Shannon Airport set in July/August 1995 and surpasses its own record of 27 days set in July 1989," the national forecaster said. 

Heatwaves

Meanwhile, heatwaves were reported at seven stations between Sunday, July 5 and Friday, July 15. These lasted between five and 14 days. 

Moore Park broke its previous longest heatwave record by three days, which was set in July 2021. 

The previous record was 13 days. The average temperature during the 16 days sat at 20.4C. 

This was the second-longest heatwave on record for Ireland, behind Birr, Co Offaly and Ballybrittas, Co Laois, which set in August 1976 at 14 days. 

Oak Park in Co Carlow then held a record of 12 days, breaking its previous longest heatwave record by one day, which was set in June/July 2018. 

Sunshine totals

Overall, sunshine totals were above their long-term averages across the country, with Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford breaking the national record for the sunniest month on record. 

Casement Aerodrome in Dublin broke its record of having the sunniest July, which was previously set 62 years ago, with 264 hours recorded. 

Shannon Airport also recorded its sunniest July since 1955, with 247.7 hours. 

Cork Airport also had its sunniest month on record and surpassed the previous all-month sunshine duration record with a total of 315.1hours.