Ireland endured several heatwaves last year, with the warmest autumn on record, Met Eireann has revealed.
The national forecaster’s end of year weather statement found 2021 was another balmy year for Ireland overall with above average temperatures nationwide.
Met Eireann said July was a particularly warm month “characterised by widespread heatwaves” and lengthy dry spells.
The forecaster said at least 10 weather stations here experienced heatwave conditions - where temperatures of at least 25C were recorded for at at least five consecutive days.
The national forecaster explained a tropical continental airmass in July created hot and dry conditions, which led to it issuing the first ever “High Temperature warning”.
The alert advised the public to take care in the heat and separately there were 45 separate dry periods last year, including absolute droughts, partial droughts and dry spells.
The Met Eireann annual report stated: “High pressure kept the South and East sunny and warm in June, with the North and West cloudier and cooler.
“July saw intense thundery rainfall at times, along with a prolonged hot and dry spell, with heatwave conditions for many.
“This led to above average temperatures everywhere and above average rainfall in the Midlands and East.”
The report added: “August was mild and changeable with a dry finish leading to above average temperatures once again and mostly below average rainfall.
“Ireland stayed on the warmer, southern side of the Jetstream through most of September, October and November.”
The weather report found there was a more unsettled and mixed weather in February and March and a polar airmass ensured April was a very cold and dry month.
The month of May was described as being cool with above average rainfall and June was very dry.
Met Eireann said Storm Arwen brought northerly gales on November 26 and last month Storm Barra brought the strongest winds of the year of 135 km/h on December 7.
The highest daily rainfall total was 71.1 mm at Mullingar, Co Westmeath on August 5, its highest daily deluge on record for 71 years.
The number of wet days ranged from 170 days at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 263 days at Belmullet, Co Mayo.
It was the driest year since 2010 at Gurteen, Co Tipperary and Malin Head, Co Donegal and there were above average temperatures nationwide.
