Ireland’s ‘absolute drought’ breaks records for September

Last month was the driest September in at least 28 years across large parts of the country, according to Met Éireann, extending an Indian summer that has shown little sign of dissipating.

The south, southwest and west of the country underwent a period of “absolute drought” between the 1st and 21st of the month, defined as a “period of 15 or more consecutive days with less than 0.2mm” of rain.

The Malin Head weather station in Co Donegal reported its driest September since 1933, while in Shannon, a single day's rainfall doubled its monthly total to 38mm. That anomaly occurred on the fifth of the month, the wettest day across Ireland.

As sun-seekers second-guessed plans to travel abroad, temperatures across the country were also higher than average for a pleasantly surprising month and warmer for the most part than August.

The south, southwest and west of the country experienced the warmest conditions with Celsius readings climbing more than 1.5 degrees above average.

Valentia Observatory weather station reported its warmest September in 23 years (1.7 degrees higher than average) and Cork Airport, its warmest in over half a century since it opened in 1962 (up 1.6 degrees).

The highest temperature for the month was just short of 24 degrees, recorded at Shannon Airport on September 4th.

“Most stations across the country reported their warmest September since 2006,” Met Éireann said. “Highest maximum temperatures were mostly recorded on the 4th as a ridge of high pressure centred over the country, with parts of the southwest, south and midlands, measuring their highest September temperatures in seven to 15 years.”

Sunshine levels were less dazzling - coming in near or above average.

Valentia Observatory was the brightest, recording over 166 hours of sunshine, the most for September since 1972 (42 years). The sunniest day fell on the 10th at Belmullet station with 12.3 hours, the most since 1969 (45 years).