Ireland Records Warmest Summer Since 1900 as Temperatures Soar Past 1995 Record

Summer 2025 has officially become Ireland's warmest summer since records began 125 years ago, with provisional Met Éireann data showing temperatures averaging 16.19°C across the season, marginally surpassing the previous record held by summer 1995.

The latest seasonal climate statement, released today, reveals that this summer's average temperature exceeded the 1995 record by just 0.08°C, despite the season not being particularly sunny. Ireland's long-term average summer temperature sits at 14.25°C, making this summer a remarkable 1.94°C above the norm.

Paul Moore, Met Éireann Climatologist:

"Provisional Met Éireann data shows that summer 2025 is the warmest on record since 1900, when this temperature dataset began. It hasn't been particularly sunny during summer, but the dry soils from a warm and sunny spring, the heat domes over mainland Europe, periods of high-pressure dominance and the high sea surface temperatures around Ireland, have kept temperatures over the last three months consistently above average, especially at nighttime."

The record represents a significant milestone, making 2025 the first year since 1933 to achieve consecutive seasonal records, following the warmest spring on record earlier this year.

Several factors contributed to the exceptional temperatures. Dry soils from the record-breaking spring reduced evaporative cooling, allowing heat to build and persist longer. Heat domes positioned over western and central Europe occasionally pushed warm air masses over Ireland, while marine heatwaves around the Irish coast maintained elevated sea surface temperatures throughout the summer months.

Particularly notable was the consistency of warm nighttime temperatures. Most Met Éireann stations recorded their highest mean minimum temperature for summer on record, with several long-standing stations experiencing their highest number of warm nights ever recorded.

The summer's hottest temperature was recorded at Mount Dillon on 12th July, when the mercury reached 31.1°C during a four-day hot spell. This became the highest temperature of 2025 at Ireland's 25 primary weather stations.

Of the top 10 warmest summers since 1900, six have occurred since 2000, including 2006, 2013, 2018, 2022, 2023, and now 2025. Only 1995 and 2025 have achieved average temperatures exceeding 16°C.

Moore emphasised the role of climate change:

"The added heat in the system and the continuous background warming due to climate change, can now transform an unexceptional season into a record breaking one. Ireland is experiencing the effects of climate change, and our climate projections show that our climate is going to become warmer."

Rainfall during summer 2025 was close to average at 98% of normal levels, though this varied significantly across regions. Cork's Moore Park recorded the season's lowest rainfall total at 123.3mm, while Athenry in Galway experienced its wettest summer on record with 460.3mm.

Climate projections suggest Ireland's warming trend will continue, with future summer temperatures expected to surpass this year's record as the century progresses. The data shows Ireland has warmed by approximately 1.1°C since 1900, with the rate of increase accelerating to 0.22°C per decade since 1961.

Looking ahead, while La Niña conditions may return from September, global temperatures are still expected to remain above average for much of the Northern Hemisphere through the autumn months.