Press release
Hottest June on record for Ireland as average temperatures of 16+°C break 83-year-old record
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Met Éireann has announced that June 2023 will be recorded as the hottest June on record. Provisional data shows that Ireland has experienced its first June with 16+°C average temperatures, exceeding the previous June record which held for 83 years. June 2023 is set to be more than half a degree higher than June 1940.
The highest temperature of 2023 so far, 28.8°C, was reported at Oak Park in Co Carlow on Tuesday 13 June. This is the third consecutive year that a temperature at or above this value has been observed in Ireland.
Met Éireann’s Climatologist, Paul Moore says:
“Although temperatures have fallen in recent days, they will not prevent this June’s record-breaking situation. This year’s particularly warm June is part of an observed warming trend and our research shows that this trend will continue. Our recently published TRANSLATE project provides a reminder that right across society we need to understand and plan for a changing climate.
“An average monthly temperature of greater than 16°C has been seen in July and August but never before in June. June 2023 was well above normal due to persistent warm days and nights.
“Twenty-three of twenty-five Met Éireann primary weather stations are showing their warmest June on record. In early June, cool easterly winds on the east coast meant that Phoenix Park and Dublin Airport stations were cooler but they still show their warmest June since 1976.”
Climate change makes record-breaking temperatures like these more likely, and the recent marine heatwave off the coast of Ireland has brought extreme sea-surface temperatures to Irish shores.
Met Éireann researcher Dr. Pádraig Flattery explains:
“As climate change continues, we can expect further records to be broken and more frequent and extreme weather events. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture (about 7% for every 1°C of warming) and warmer waters, in turn, provide more energy for storms and can contribute to extreme rainfall events.”
This June and especially over the past two weeks, Ireland has seen nine days of intense thunderstorm activity, with heavy downpours, lightning and at times, hail. These were dynamic systems which Met Éireann actively monitored to ensure warnings were in place. While this prolonged spell of thunderstorms has not been the norm in Ireland, going forward we are likely to see more of this type of weather as the climate warms.
The World Meteorological Organisation recently warned that Europe is warming twice as fast as other continents. 16,000 people died as a result of extreme heat last year and widespread droughts caused significant economic impacts. The rate of June heatwaves has tripled in Spain in the past 12 years. June 2023 was also the warmest June of record for the UK.
The provisional statement of June 2023’s past weather and climate will be published on Met Éireann’s website on Tuesday 4 July 2023. This will also include information on Irish rainfall and sunshine at the various Met Éireann primary weather stations.
Met Éireann, the National Meteorological Service, monitors, analyses and predicts Ireland's weather and climate, supporting Irish society and decision-makers with world-class weather, climate and flood services. Met Éireann does this to protect life and property, and to promote wider societal and economic wellbeing.
Met Éireann’s overarching vision is as follows: ‘Making Ireland weather and climate prepared - helping Irish society to be ready for and responsive to weather and climate challenges’.
Met Éireann is Ireland’s National Meteorological service as maintained by the State under the UN Convention of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
On Met Éireann’s June 2023 Climate analysis:
More information on the recent marine heatwave, including potential causes and impacts, can be found on the Met Éireann website.
For more information on Met Éireann’s TRANSLATE project, please check out its dedicated webpage on the Met Éireann website.