A Met Éireann summary of climate averages over 30 years has found that Ireland's average mean hourly wind speed ranges from nine knots at Shannon Airport to 15 knots at Donegal’s Malin Head.
It’s one of a number of facts published by Met Éireann for the period 1991 to 2020, which has found an overall increase in air temperatures compared to the previous 30-year period.
The average yearly air temperature for Ireland stands at 9.8°C for 1991-2020, representing an increase of 0.7°C.
Mean temperatures are higher across the country for all seasons in the most recent 30-year period, it says, while sunshine hours have increased by about 5% when compared to the 1961-1990 period.
May is the sunniest month of the year, followed by June.
Met Éireann’s analysis also indicates an increase in rainfall of approximately 7% over the last 30 years, with annual average rainfall for Ireland at 1,288 mm (1991-2020).
Met Éireann’s analysis also indicates an increase in rainfall of approximately 7% over the last 30 years
Regional variations are also evident, with the west and north of Ireland showing the greatest increases in annual rainfall, it says.
The release of these findings by Met Éireann comes ahead of the World Meteorological Organisation's (WMO) publication of the Global Climate Averages (or “climate normals”) for 1991-2020 next month.
Mean temperatures are higher across the country for all seasons in the most recent 30-year period, says Met Eireann
Met Éireann contributes to the development of this global dataset.
Met Éireann climatologist and project lead, Mary Curley, said that “we know that the atmosphere is warming and what we’re seeing at the local and national scale fits the international picture”.
“While these averages give us an up-to-date baseline to compare our current and future weather to, it’s important to remember that weather patterns can vary significantly from year to year,” she said.
The findings in these new 30-year averages align with the results from Met Éireann’s “Translate” climate projections, released last month. These projections confirm the likelihood of a warmer and wetter climate annually for Ireland, as forecast 30 years ago.
Met Éireann says it will publish a comprehensive technical report on the 30-year averages 1991-2020 on met.ie later this year, which will provide more detailed information.
