Preliminary figures from Met Éireann say last month was the wettest July on Irish history.
Paul Moore, a climate scientist at Met Éireann, said Ireland received four times as much rain in July than in the same month last year, with more uncertain weather in August, reports RTE.
Ireland had 217% of its long-term average rainfall in July 2023, according to the preliminary forecast report.
The previous wettest July was in 2009 and was 202% of the long-term average.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said: “Seventeen of the 25 weather stations have had over 200% of their long-term average, with 12 stations having record high rainfall for July,” reports RTE.
He added that rainfall was common across the country, with the central and eastern regions being average wet.
Long-term weather stations such as Phoenix Park in Dublin had a long-term average of 271%, Shannon Airport 235%, Malin Head in Donegal 238%, Dunsany, Co Meath 300%, Moor Park in Cork 242% and Ballyhais 242% while Cavan had 210%.
“March had its wettest March on average as well and last October, across the whole country, was the wettest on average as well. It’s broken up with some very dry months, like February only had 36% of average rainfall. So it’s kind of the climate projections are showing that there will be more intense heavy rainfall events but also longer, drier periods,” Mr Moore said, reports RTE.
The temporary highest daily rainfall from Met Erin’s 25 major weather stations in July 2023 was 41.6mm at Dunsany on Saturday July 22, followed by 41.2mm at Oak Park, County Carlow on Monday July 10.
A preliminary date from an automatic weather station in Raphoe, Co. Donegal, also showed 76.4mm of rain on July 22, causing flash flooding in the area.
Speaking about what is expected for August, he stated that there was “no good news” for the next week.
“It looks to stay unsettled for at least the next week with low pressure in charge,” Mr Moore said, reports RTE.
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