Met Éireann has issued a Status Red wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Roscommon, Offaly, Westmeath for Monday (13 November) with the arrival of Storm Debi.

And a Status Orange warning will be in effect on and off the East Coast from counties Wexford to Down, with a Status Yellow warning for the rest of the island of Ireland’s coastline.

Met Éireann’s weather warning states that conditions will be “extremely gusty on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi with potential danger to life”.

Possible impacts include damage to exposed and vulnerable structures; disruption to services and transport; significant power outages; and fallen trees/branches.

High winds — reaching as much as violent storm Force 11 from Mizen Head to Valentia to Slyne Head — will be accompanied by heavy rain with a chance of embedded thunderstorms and hail.

In addition, a small craft warning is in effect from 11pm on Sunday (11 November) until late on Tuesday (14 November) as south-easterly winds veering south-westerly will reach Force 6 or higher.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the inland waterways not to undertake unnecessary journeys and to check mooring lines regularly throughout this period.

Waterways users are advised that jetties and quay walls may be slippery due to the heavy rainfall. Additional precautions should be taken when operating on or near water during Storm Debi.

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.

Met Éireann says that June 2023 is the hottest June on record, while the recent marine heatwave has brought extreme sea-surface temperatures to Irish shores.

Met Éireann says that provisional data shows that Ireland has experienced its first June with 16+°C average temperatures.

It says that this exceeds the previous June record, which had held for 83 years.

“June 2023 is set to be more than half a degree higher than June 1940,” Met Éireann says.

The highest temperature of 2023 so far, at 28.8°C, was reported at Oak Park in Co Carlow on Tuesday, June 13th.

It says this is the third consecutive year that a temperature at or above this value has been observed in Ireland.

“Although temperatures have fallen in recent days, they will not prevent this June’s record-breaking situation,” Met Éireann’s climatologist Paul Moore says.

“This year’s particularly warm June is part of an observed warming trend, and our research shows that this trend will continue,” Moore said.

“Our recently published TRANSLATE project provides a reminder that right across society, we need to understand and plan for a changing climate,” he said.

“An average monthly temperature of greater than 16°C has been seen in July and August but never before in June,” Moore said.

“June 2023 was well above normal due to persistent warm days and nights,” he said, and 23 of 25 Met Éireann primary weather stations have shown 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,” he said.

Met Éireann researcher Dr Pádraig Flattery said that “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,” he said.

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, Met Éireann said.

“While this prolonged spell of thunderstorms has not been the norm in Ireland,…..we are likely to see more of this type of weather as the climate,” it said.

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 heat waves has tripled in Spain in the past 12 years. June 2023 was also the warmest June of record in Britain.

Of the top ten warmest Junes on record, half of those have occurred since 2005, that is (in order of warmest) 2023, 2018, 2010, 2006 and 2005, Met Éireann says.

It says Athenry, Co Galway and Shannon Airport, Co Clare experienced 27 consecutive days with maximum air temperatures > 20.0 °C, ending on Saturday, June 24th, 2023.

“Summer 1995 observed 36 consecutive days at various stations in Leinster, ending on Saturday 26th August 1995,” it says.

It says Newport, Co Mayo experienced five consecutive nights where air temperatures did not fall below 15.5 °C, ending on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023.

Did you know that Met Éireann calculates the weather every 2.5 kilometres, whereas the global models accessible on mobile phones are calculated every nine or every twelve kilometres?

The one exception to that is the Norwegian forecasting service, used by many Irish mariners, according to Met Éireann’s recently retired head of forecasting, Evelyn Cusack.

Met Eireann's recently retired head of forecasting, Evelyn Cusack

In an interview with Wavelengths shortly before she departed, Cusack explained the organisation's work in Glasnevin, its plans for a supercomputer, the advantages of its “app”, and the extent of its archive.

Met Eireann's recently retired head of forecasting, Evelyn Cusack with archivist Ciara Ryan

As a State service, Met Éireann doesn’t “ have a huge unit pumping millions and millions into our website or app,” she explained.

“A lot of the commercial apps look fantastic, and great – they sell their product, and that’s their job, but a lot of the commercial companies use national meteorological service data because we have an open data policy,” she said.

Met Eireann has extensive archives at its headquarters in Glasnevin, Dublin

Cusack spoke to Wavelengths, along with archivist Ciara Ryan and duty forecaster Deirdre Lowe. You can listen below

As the North Atlantic is beset by a marine “heatwave”, a new climate dataset project aims to inform adaptation to changing weather in Ireland.

The “Translate” project involving Met Éireann combines all previous climate projects “of relevance” for Ireland to “help Irish society to speak the same climate language”.

Met Éireann is releasing the first climate projections of the “Translate” initiative at the European Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2023 (ECCA) held in Dublin this week.

Initial findings confirm a warming climate signal for Ireland, with temperatures projected to increase across all greenhouse gas emission scenarios.

"summers are projected to be drier and winters to be wetter"

“The dataset confirms that Ireland is likely to experience a decrease in the frequency of cold winter nights and up to a 10-fold increase in the frequency of warm (> 15°C) summer nights, alongside an increasing number of heatwaves, by the end of the century,” it says.

As predicted in some of the first climate change reports three decades ago, summers are projected to be drier and winters to be wetter, with precipitation increasing annually.

“Translate” is described as a “stepping-stone in the development of Ireland’s National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)”.

Coordinated by Met Éireann and partner organisations, the NFCS supports climate adaptation by providing tailored information and services on Ireland’s changing climate to the public and key stakeholders, such as the energy sector.

“Translate” climate projections will be freely accessible to the public and decision-makers around the country.

The research initiative is a collaborative effort led by climate researchers from the University of Galway – Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) and University College Cork – SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine (MaREI), supported by Met Éireann climatologists.

With Met Éireann issuing an advisory for hot weather through the rest of the week and the weekend, the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland are urging people to plan for their personal safety when visiting the coast or when they are on or near the water.

Air temperatures are set to be in the mid to high 20s, with some parts breaking 30C today (Thursday 11 August).

All three organisations are reminding people about the dangers of cold water shock, which can seriously affect breathing and movement, and can occur in any water temperature below 15C.

In a joint statement, they said: “With the good weather and high temperatures forecast to last right through to the weekend, we want to remind everyone to attend to their personal safety.

“With so many people enjoying the water this summer, it’s important that we all know the risks. The sea can be unpredictable, and even with the temperatures soaring, the fact is that the water is still relatively cool compared to air temperatures.

“Just because an area looks safe for swimming it doesn’t mean that it is safe. Only swim in areas that are protected by lifeguards or in areas with which you are familiar. In the case of lifeguard -protected beaches, only swim between the red and yellow flags.”

RNLI water safety lead Kevin Rahill said: “Many people who get into danger each year never planned to enter the water — slips, trips and falls can also occur.

“The RNLI is urging people to Float to Live if they get into trouble in the water. This means leaning back and spreading your arms and legs to stay afloat, controlling your breathing, then calling for help or swimming to safety.

“In the event of any water or coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 or use marine VHF Radio Channel 16 and ask for the coastguard.”

Roger Sweeney from Water Safety Ireland added: “Rip currents are difficult to spot but common on beaches and carry you out to sea quickly.

“If you do get caught in one, the advice is to not to exhaust yourself trying to swim against it. Rather swim parallel to the beach until free of the narrow current and then head for shore.”

Gerard O’Flynn from the Irish Coast Guard also noted: “Record numbers are also taking to the water on craft such as paddleboards and kayaks, many for the first time, so it is important to always remember to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and to take a means of calling for help.”

Ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, Water Safety Ireland and Met Éireann are appealing for people to take care when they are on or near the water.

With many people continuing to enjoy the summer holidays or planning a break this weekend, the organisations are asking people to be particularly mindful to check weather forecasts and tide times before venturing out and if planning on entering the sea to know how to spot and safely handle a rip current.

If planning other activities such as paddleboarding, the request is to always go prepared so the water can be enjoyed safely.

Evelyn Cusack, head of forecasting in Met Éireann says: “While there will be some warm sunny spells, the weather will be mixed this weekend. For a detailed forecast for 10-days ahead for over 1,000 locations around Ireland including the beaches, lakes and mountains, go to met.ie.”

If heading out on the water or visiting the coast:

• Always check the weather and tide times.
• Carry a reliable means of raising the alarm such as a VHF radio or personal locator beacon (PLB) and a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch as back-up.
• Tell someone where you are going and what time you are due back.
• If going afloat, wear a lifejacket or suitable personal flotation device for your activity.
• Never ever swim alone. Only swim in areas that are supervised by lifeguards or in areas with which you are familiar.
• Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Kevin Rahill, RNLI water safety lead said: “This weekend will see spring tides so we would encourage anyone planning a walk or activity near the coast to check tide times before venturing out to avoid becoming cut off.

“The RNLI is also urging everyone to remember to ‘Float to Live’ if they do get into trouble in the water this weekend. To do this: Lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the coastguard.”

Irish Coast Guard operations manager Micheál O’Toole said: “We wish to thank the public for their cooperation and support and for the responsible approach displayed when participating in any water based or coastal activity.

“We would also advise people to avoid bringing inflatable toys to the beach, rivers or lake side as users can easily get swept away from the shore.”

Water Safety Ireland’s acting chief executive Roger Sweeney said: “Swimmers should watch out for rip currents which are one of the most dangerous natural hazards at Irish beaches.

“The strong channel of water running from a beach back to sea can be difficult to spot so the best way to avoid them is to swim at lifeguarded beaches between the red and yellow flags. If caught in one, don’t exhaust yourself trying to swim against it. Swim parallel to the beach until free of the narrow current and then head for shore.”

Ireland’s Met Éireann director Eoin Moran has been elected chairman of Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, EUMETSAT.

The 30-member-state EUMETSAT council made the decision to appoint him to the post for two years at its 101st meeting late this week.

The council is the supreme decision-making body for EUMETSAT, which controls fleets of meteorological satellites from its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.

The data from these satellites is disseminated to member states to inform citizens and decision-makers about upcoming weather events and changes to the climate

“At the end of this year, the first satellite will be launched in the next-generation of EUMETSAT’s geostationary satellites, Meteosat Third Generation,” its director-general Phil Evans said.

“Next year, the first satellite in its next-generation polar-orbiting satellites will be launched,” he continued, describing it as an “exciting time of transition” for the organisation.

“I am looking forward to working with Eoin Moran on the challenges ahead of us,”Mr Evans said.

Eoin Moran said the two new satellite systems will provide the national meteorological services in EUMETSAT’s member states with weather and climate data of “unprecedented accuracy and quality”.

“The aim is simple - to equip meteorological services with the data they need to provide even more accurate weather predictions and to help protect lives, infrastructure and livelihoods through early warnings of severe weather events,” he explained.

““The need for this is clear. The European Environment Agency estimates that weather and climate-related events caused as much as €520 billion in economic losses in the European Economic Area between 1980 and 2020,” Mr Moran said.

“Up to 145,000 lives were lost over the same period. EUMETSAT member states are preparing now for these new systems. It’s a great honour to be elected chair at this time, when our communities are experiencing more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change,” he said.

EUMETSAT’s responsibilities under the European Union’s Copernicus environment-monitoring programme will also expand in the years ahead.

It provides its 30 member states with meteorological imagery and data that are essential for keeping their communities safe and for the benefit of critical sectors of their economies from its base in Germany.

Four Meteosat satellites in geostationary orbit deliver continuous observations of fast developing severe weather events over Europe, Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Two polar-orbiting Metop satellites provide data described as of “pivotal importance” for forecasts of up to 10 days ahead.

The first of the next-generations satellites in these systems will be launched in 2022 and 2024 respectively, EUMETSAT says.

Its archive of satellite observations over more than 40 years provides climate scientists around the world with long-term, homogenous data necessary for monitoring climate change.

EUMETSAT is a key partner in the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation programme. It operates the Copernicus Sentinel-3 and -6 ocean-monitoring missions, and will operate the upcoming CO2M mission, to monitor carbon dioxide emissions.

Eoin Moran has been a member of Ireland’s delegation to EUMETSAT since 2016, and council vice-chairman since 2018.

He has been Director of Met Éireann since 2016 and has been a member of its senior management team since 2007. He has also been a member of Ireland’s Climate Change Advisory Council since 2021.

He takes over the position of chair from Gerard van der Steenhoven, of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, who held the post for four years.

Met Éireann and Irish Lights are pleased to announce a joint collaboration that will enhance our understanding of Irish Coastal Waters, with the aim of improving safety for coastal inhabitants and mariners.

Safety of the mariner and the public has been at the heart of Irish Lights and Met Éireann since their establishment over 235 and 85 years ago respectively. The seas around the island of Ireland are changing due to the impact of climate change and both organisations are adapting by developing new additional services. In line with the government’s Climate Action Plan and The Status of Ireland’s Climate Report 2020, a better understanding of our adjacent seas is needed including the wave conditions around the Irish coast.

Launching on 1st February, St. Brigid’s Day, the Patron Saint of Sailors, the trial will involve adapting existing navigation buoys operated by Irish Lights with new wave sensors, providing quality controlled near real-time meteorological and hydrographic data for the benefit of stakeholders in coastal areas.

Map of Wave Buoy Deployment and Irish Lights Buoy Network

Ronan Boyle, Director of eNavigation & Maritime Services for Irish Lights, said: “Irish Lights is delighted to support this trial with Met Éireann, which is closely aligned with our Vision of protecting lives, property, trade and the environment by delivering next generation maritime services. We look forward to a successful completion of the trial period and a possible future expansion of this monitoring network for the safety of all”.

The data from Irish Lights navigation buoys will be used by Met Éireann’s Flood Forecasting Division to develop coastal predictive modelling systems for tidal, storm surge and wave forecasting for Ireland. The acquisition of near-real-time data will prove beneficial to the Flood Forecasting Division before, during and after coastal flood events. This meteorological and hydrographic information provided by Irish Lights will support stakeholders to make impact-based decisions and take actions that protect against the loss of life and to mitigate against damage to property and the environment.

Rosemarie Lawlor, Hydrometeorologist at Met Éireann said: “This important capacity-building collaboration is an exciting first step in building on our understanding of Irish seas and coasts and continues the essential work of improving safety of our coastal and marine areas”

The four Irish Lights navigation buoys which are part of the trial are Ballybunnion buoy (Shannon Estuary)*, Finnis buoy (Galway Bay), South Hunter buoy (Larne) and Splaugh buoy (Rosslare)

The project is divided into three stages:

• Procurement & Testing,
• Deployment, and
• Trial.

As part of stage one Met Éireann procured and provided Irish Lights with wave sensors, data loggers and modems for their navigation buoys. A new quality control process has been developed by Met Éireann in collaboration with Irish Lights and the Marine Institute for testing the data in stage three. Irish Lights have installed, tested and commissioned the sensors on each buoy over recent months to enable the transmission of the data.

Splaugh Buoy on Irish Lights ship ILV Granuaile, ready for installation of new wave sensor

In stage two the equipment was deployed by Irish Lights and we are currently entering stage three, the trial, with data transmission from the buoys initiated. The new sensors are measuring wave height, wave period and wave direction. The data will be tested, verified and quality controlled to ensure it is fit for purpose as part of stage three.

At present this data is openly available in near real-time at the following websites:

Met Éireann - https://www.met.ie/forecasts/marine-inland-lakes/buoys
Irish Lights - https://cilpublic.cil.ie/metocean/

The near real-time wave data will provide current wave conditions at the deployment locations to end-users.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange weather warning for counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Galway on Tuesday (7 December) when Storm Barra is forecast to sweep in from the Atlantic.

Southerly winds, later becoming to northwesterly, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130 km/hr. Met Éireann says winds will possibly be higher in coastal areas, and that disruption to power and travel are likely.

“High waves, high tides, heavy rain and storm surge will lead to wave overtopping and a significant possibility of coastal flooding,” the meteorologists warn.

A Status Orange marine warning will also be in effect for 24 hours from midnight tomorrow (Monday 6 December) as southerly winds veering westerly are expected to reach Force 8 to 10 on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head.