Warmest Summer on Record for Ireland

After Ireland’s warmest spring on record, provisional data released by Met Éireann earlier this month shows that Summer 2025 became the warmest summer on record, with an average temperature of 16.19 °C, slightly above the previous record of 16.11 °C in 1995. This is 1.94 °C higher than Ireland’s long-term average of 14.25 °C (1961–1990 baseline) and marks the first time since 1933 that both spring and summer have broken temperature records in the same year. 

Why it was so warm 

Summer 2025 stayed unusually warm due to: 

• Heat domes over Europe: High-pressure systems trapped warm air, sometimes pushing it north to Ireland. 

• Dry soils and warm seas: Dry Spring soils and above-average sea temperatures kept daytime and nighttime temperatures higher. 

Climate Context 

Ireland’s average temperature has risen ~1.1 °C since 1900, with summer nights warming faster than days. This is part of global climate change, including the rapid warming of the polar regions. Warming polar regions change atmospheric circulation patterns, causing high-pressure systems to stay longer over Europe. These “heat domes” trap warm air, leading to longer and more intense heatwaves in Ireland. 

Future projections show that mean summer temperatures in Ireland will continue to rise, exceeding 2025 levels under moderate and high emissions scenarios. 

Health Implications 

Prolonged heat and warmer nights increase the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular stress, particularly among the elderly, children, and people with pre-existing conditions. Mental health can also be affected by heat-related sleep disruption. Between 1981 and 2006, 294 excess deaths were attributed to heatwaves, with rural areas sometimes more affected than urban ones. The risk is expected to rise with climate change and an aging population, highlighting the need for targeted prevention plans.   

Urgent Response Needed 

• Shift to renewable energy and low-carbon transport. 

• Strengthen early warning systems, cooling centers, and public guidance. 

• Enhance sustainable agriculture and water management. 

• Ensure buildings, health systems, and ecosystems are resilient to rising temperatures. 

Read more: Extreme weather events | Health risks | Climate Risks Daily 

Original Source: https://www.met.ie/provisionally-warmest-summer-on-record-for-ireland