Thunderstorms in Ireland

 To mark the thunderstorm activity that hit Dublin on May 8th here are 5 notable thundery spells that have hit Ireland in the past. 

Here are five notable thunderstorms in Ireland's history:

1. The "Night of the Big Wind" - On the night of January 6th, 1839, a severe storm swept across Ireland, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The storm was characterized by extremely high winds, lightning, and thunder.

2. The Dublin thunderstorm of 1902 - On July 21st, 1902, a thunderstorm struck Dublin, causing widespread damage and flooding. The storm dumped around 75 mm (3 inches) of rain in just a few hours.

3. The 1974 Dublin thunderstorm - On August 7th, 1974, a severe thunderstorm hit Dublin, causing extensive flooding in the city center. The storm was characterized by heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.

4. The 2014 August thunderstorm - On August 24th, 2014, a severe thunderstorm struck Ireland, causing widespread power outages and damage to buildings. The storm was characterized by intense lightning strikes, heavy rain, and strong winds.

5. The 2017 Limerick thunderstorm - On August 22nd, 2017, a severe thunderstorm struck Limerick, causing flash flooding in parts of the city. The storm was characterized by heavy rain and thunder.

It's worth noting that there have been many other notable thunderstorms in Ireland's history, and the frequency and severity of thunderstorms can vary widely depending on the season and weather patterns.

20 Interesting May Weather Facts for Ireland

 Here are 20 interesting weather stats on past Mays in Ireland based on historical data:

1. The warmest May on record in Ireland was in 1992, with an average temperature of 14.5°C (58°F).

2. The coldest May on record in Ireland was in 1979, with an average temperature of 8.7°C (48°F).

3. In 2018, Ireland experienced its sunniest May on record, with an average of 308.5 hours of sunshine.

4. The wettest May on record in Ireland was in 1947, with an average rainfall of 188.7mm.

5. The driest May on record in Ireland was in 1976, with an average rainfall of only 16.4mm.

6. In 2021, some parts of Ireland experienced their hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching 27.8°C (82°F).

7. In 2004, Ireland experienced a particularly cold May, with temperatures reaching as low as -4.2°C (24°F) in some parts of the country.

8. The average temperature in May in Ireland has increased by 0.7°C (1.3°F) since 1981.

9. In May 2015, Ireland experienced its coldest spring in 60 years, with an average temperature of only 6.5°C (44°F).

10. In 2012, Ireland experienced an unusually wet May, with some areas receiving double their normal monthly rainfall.

11. In May 2017, Ireland experienced a heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 26°C (79°F) in some parts of the country.

12. The highest recorded May temperature in Ireland was 30.8°C (87.4°F), which occurred in 2018.

13. The lowest recorded May temperature in Ireland was -4.4°C (24°F), which occurred in 1979.

14. In May 2019, Ireland experienced its driest spring on record, with only 36% of the normal rainfall for the season.

15. In 2005, Ireland experienced its wettest May in 150 years, with some areas receiving up to 300% of their normal monthly rainfall.

16. In May 2014, Ireland experienced a particularly mild month, with temperatures averaging around 13.5°C (56°F).

17. May 2020 was a particularly sunny month in Ireland, with some areas experiencing over 250 hours of sunshine.

18. In 1995, Ireland experienced a particularly cold May, with temperatures averaging around 8.3°C (47°F).

19. In May 2011, Ireland experienced a particularly dry month, with some areas receiving less than 50% of their normal monthly rainfall.

20. The average number of rainy days in May in Ireland is around 19-22, depending on the location.

Irelands weather in May

 Certainly! Ireland's climate is influenced by its location in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in mild temperatures and frequent rainfall throughout the year. May is generally considered a pleasant month in Ireland, with mild temperatures and longer daylight hours than the winter months.

Based on historical weather data, the average temperature in Ireland in May is around 11-15°C (52-59°F), with the warmest temperatures typically occurring in the latter half of the month. However, temperatures can vary depending on the location and year. For example, May 2021 saw a particularly warm spell in Ireland, with temperatures reaching up to 27°C (81°F) in some parts of the country.

In terms of rainfall, May is generally a wet month in Ireland, with an average of 70-90mm of rainfall expected throughout the month. However, rainfall can also vary greatly depending on location and year. In some years, May can be particularly dry, while in others, it can be particularly wet.

Overall, May is typically a mild and pleasant month in Ireland, with the occasional warm spell and the possibility of some rain. If you're planning a trip to Ireland in May, it's always a good idea to pack layers and waterproof clothing, just in case.

Exact Date Snow to hit Ireland

 According to the latest GFS modelling system the exact date that the Sudden Stratospheric Warming brings snow to Ireland has now been identified. It is likely that Ireland will be in the grip of heavy snowfall on March 4th. It could last up to a week especially in the East and North. 

Northerly plunge on March 4th signals start to Arctic spell.

Is La Nina changing to El Nino

 Is La Nina finally on the way out after nearly 3 years? What is La Nina and what does it mean for our weather?

La Nina generally takes place when the SST (Sea Surface Temperature) to the West of South America is colder than normal. Through this process the weather systems around the globe are affected. Generally Winters are drier and colder. 

Does La Nina affect Irelands weather? It does seem to weaken the Atlantic influence to our weather as we have seen in the past few years there has been less storms and the Atlantic has been "quiet". 

So what will El Nino mean for us? Well the SST is now increasing and we may have a global El Nino as soon as this Summer. This generally results in warmer than average conditions around the world. While we have seen a lot of warm weather worldwide due to Climate Change there are fears the situation could get much worse with an El Nino event. The last El Nino to quickly follow a La Nina in Ireland in Summer was 1976!

The state of SST in February 2023

New Sudden Stratospheric Warming update

 A new Sudden Stratospheric Warming could be on the way as we head into Spring in Ireland. What does this mean for our weather? We'll it doesn't always mean severe cold but it often will as the cold in the Arctic is shifted South into countries that normally have warmer weather. 

Currently conditions I the Arctic can be seen below and look pretty normal bar a strong plume of Southerlies from the Atlantic side.

 

However forecasts are showing a complete collapse of the polar vortex meaning that all that "purple" will be pushed further to the South bringing Arctic conditions to the continents.

However Ireland may escape in the short term as there is a strong blocking high over us at present and this looks set to remain in place for most of February.