June 2023 hottest in 83 YEARS after 'well above normal' temperatures - Met Éireann

Met Éireann has announced that this month will be recorded as the hottest June on record. 

The meteorological service confirmed that average temperatures of over 16+°C have exceeded the previous June record, which held for 83 years. 

Speaking about the news, Climatologist at Met Éireann, Paul Moore, said, "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."

He continued: "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." 

June 2023 was also the warmest June on record for the UK.

According to Met Éireann, the highest temperature of 2023 so far - 28.8°C - was reported at Oak Park in Co Carlow on Tuesday 13th June.

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

Meanwhile, recent marine heatwaves off the coast of Ireland have also brought extreme sea-surface temperatures to Irish shores. 

Researcher at Met Éireann, 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." 

Met Éireann also warned that thunderstorm activity and heavy downpours observed within the past nine days are likely to continue as the climate warms.