Last month was the warmest in 15 years whilst rainfall was below average in every county, according to new Met Eireann figures.
The data were released today in the national weather service’s report about conditions in May.
Its Spring statement shows that the highest mean monthly temperature of 13.5C at Shannon Airport in Clare was 1.5C above its long-term average (LTA) and is the warmest since 2008.
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The highest air temperature of 24.9C occurred on May 30 at Shannon Airport, which was 8.9C above May’s LTA. Temperatures could hit 25C in parts later this week.
In terms of rainfall, the highest monthly total of 63.5mm at Athenry in Galway was 84 per cent of its LTA, while the highest daily rainfall of 21.4mm at Valentia Observatory in Kerry was 23 per cent of its monthly LTA.
Met Eireann stated: “May was warm and dry overall with high pressure dominating for most of the month, especially the second half.
“Towards the end of the second week, pressure rose from the south as the Azores High pushed up over the country and dominated for the rest of the month.
“High pressure intensified over Ireland during the final week of the month, [bringing] very dry conditions along with increasing amounts of sunshine.
“Rainfall was below average everywhere and all monthly rainfall totals across the country were below their 1981-2010 Long-Term Average (LTA).”
There's no end in sight for the warm spell with Met Éireann predicting fine conditions right through next weekend.
In an update, forecasters said: "Staying warm for the rest of the week and the weekend. Largely dry until Friday night, when some showery rain is expected to start moving up from the south."
However, conditions should recover again on Saturday and Sunday with highs in the low 20s.
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