September 'significantly warmer than average', says Met Éireann

Met Éireann weather forecaster Gerry Murphy makes a welly throw after extensive anlaysis of wind conditions at the Portwest Welly Throwing competition at the National Ploughing Championships last month. Picture: Larry Cummins

It was the warmest September on record for eight weather stations across Ireland, including Shannon Airport, according to Met Éireann.

The national forecaster said last month was “significantly warmer than average everywhere, especially in the east". 

It was also “wetter and duller than average in most places, with frequent rain or showers.” 

Met Éireann said on occasion, a high pressure to the south moved north and brought some short dry periods, while at other times, a low pressure to the north moved closer and brought “some active weather fronts across the country". 

Several of the warmest days — September 2, 12, 14, and 21 — saw temperatures reach the mid-20s in places, after tropical maritime air masses moved over the country from the south or south-west.

September also saw a “rapidly deepening and intense” low-pressure system move north from the Azores on September 28, before it passed the country to the west the following day.

Met Éireann said the storm brought “widespread rain and strong winds, along with a very warm tropical maritime airmass". 

The highest air temperature for the month was 25.2C, which was recorded at Phoenix Park on September 14. The record high for September still holds at 29.1C, recorded in Kildare in 1906. 

Overall, the highest mean monthly temperature was recorded at Shannon Airport at 15.8C. Met Éireann said this was the station's warmest September on record in 81 years.

Separately, the highest daily rainfall total was recorded at Oak Park in Carlow on September 27, with 38.6mm of rain falling. The forecaster said this was the highest fall for the station in September since 2019.

Previously, Oak Park held the record for the number of days it faced a partial drought over the summer.

The lowest monthly total of rain was recorded at Roches Point in Cork at 73.8mm, while the highest monthly total was recorded at Newport, Co Mayo, at 172.3mm.

Looking at sunshine levels, Met Éireann said it was a “dull month overall, with only one station reporting sunshine values above average". 

The highest number of daily sunshine hours recorded in September was 10.6 hours at Dublin Airport on September 20. Monthly sunshine totals were lowest at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry, with 87.3 hours.

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