JANUARY 2008

Warmest year on record since 1885

According to Malin Head weather station, whose records stretch back to 1885, 2007 was the warmest year on record. Malin had its sunniest year since 1968, and the 15.6 hours of sunshine recorded there on 6th June was the sunniest day anywhere in Ireland during that day.

The average temperature at Malin Head during 2007 was a record breaking 10.6 C, breaking the previous record set in 2006. It is 1.3 C warmer than the 30 year average. Nationally, mean air temperatures were above average for the 14th consecutive year and international seven of the eight warmest years on record - including 2007 - have occurred since 2001. Meteorologists say that Irish temperatures are rising at three times the global average due to the fact that the Atlantic Ocean is now warming at a quicker rate than in previous decades.

Soil temperatures were also higher than average during the year, with the annual value of 11.4 C some 2.5 C warmer than the 30 year average. Average soil temperatures during the year did not dip below 6 C and have extended the growing season to most of the year round.

Rainfall at Malin was slightly above average in 2007 with 1072mm (42.2 inches) recorded as compared to the 30 year average of 1061 mm (41.8 inches). January was the wettest month while April was the driest month with 32.6 (1.3 inches) of rain. Rainfall was higher than average from May to August, but well below average in the spring and the autumn.

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