The Malin Head weather station in Donegal registered the highest daily sunshine and the highest wind speeds of 2023.
Last year was the warmest year on record by a large margin, according to Met Eireann’s climate statement. The country also saw its wettest March and July on record.
Notable events recorded at Malin Head included 16 hours of sunshine on Tue 30th May, Fri 9th June and Thu 15th June.
Eleven named storms directly affected Ireland during 2023, storm force winds were reported during storm Noa and storm Fergus. The Malin Head weather station recorded annual mean wind speeds of 14.6 knots (27.0 km/h)- the highest of all areas nationally.
Climatologist Paul Moore said: “2023 has turned out to be an extraordinary climatological year with climate change driving a surge in extreme weather events and record high temperatures around the world. In Ireland, we have set the second consecutive warmest year on record with the annual mean temperature for Ireland breaching 11 °C for the first time. We have also seen one of the wettest years on record in Ireland.”
Forecasters predict from the latest Irish climate change projections that there will be a further warming in the future. This temperature change means the likelihood of extreme weather events occurring has increased. Irish rainfall patterns are expected to change, with an increase in both dry periods and heavy rainfall events. Global sea level continues to rise. As a result, storm surge and coastal flooding risk around Irish coasts is expected to increase along with ‘compound events’ involving heavy rainfall and high tides combined.
