We all are aware of the temperatures in the world are on the rise. Recent figures published by Met Éireann show Meath had the country’s highest above average temperature increase for May 2024.
In Dunsany in Meath it was 13.2 °C, it was 2.8 °C above its Long Term Average. Every weather station was above their average but 2.8 was the highest above average according to their data.
Their May climate statement confirms it was the warmest May on record in Ireland. The Copernicus publication yesterday confirms it was also the warmest May on record globally and the 12th consecutive month with record-high temperatures globally.
Overall (using the Island of Ireland dataset*), May 2024 was the warmest May on record with an average temperature of 13.08 °C, which is 2.53°C above the 1961-1990 long term average (LTA) or 1.74 °C above the 1991-2020 LTA for May.
This is only the 2nd time (in 125), that the May average temperature exceeded 13 °C. The previous warmest May was May 2008 with an average monthly temperature of 13.03 °C. The coldest May remains May 1923 (102 years ago) with an average temperature of 8.67 °C.
The highest sunshine for the month was recorded at 161.1 hours for Valentia in Kerry, the highest mean temperature was at the Phoenix park of 13.6°C , Knock in county Mayo was
the lowest with 11.9°C and also saw the most rainfall with 127 mm in the month.
