Donegal had highest number of rain and wet days in May as temperature highs set
Donegal had the highest number of rain days in May with 22 recorded at both Malin Head and Finner
Donegal recorded some of the country’s coldest, wettest and windiest conditions last month during what Met Éireann has described as a mild month that saw maximum temperature records set.
In its weather climate statement for May 2026, the forecaster said the month saw a relatively cool first two thirds,followed by a very warm final third.
The country’s lowest mean monthly temperature of 11.3°C was recorded at Malin Head, which was 0.8°C above its long-term average (LTA), and at Knock Airport, Co Mayo, which 1.1°C above its LTA.
Donegal had the highest number of rain days, with 22 recorded at both Malin Head and Finner, compared to the lowest of 11 days at Phoenix Park, Co Dublin.
Donegal also had the highest number of wet days with 16 days at and Finner, a figure it shared with both Markree, Co Sligo, while the lowest of seven was recorded at Oak Park, Co Carlow.
The two Donegal weather stations both record the month's highest gust of 47 knots (87 km/h) which was reported at both Finner, on Tuesday 12th and at Malin Head on Wednesday 13th.
The number of days with gale force winds ranged from zero days at most stations to one day at Roches Point, Co Cork. There were no strong gales or storms reported.
Donegal recorded the lowest number of dull days, with just two recorded at Malin Head, compared to a highest figure of five at both Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry and Cork Airport.
The highest daily sunshine of 15.2 hours was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford on the 26th.
Met Éireann said last month saw the national May maximum temperature record exceeded by more than 2°C.
An intense area of high pressure combined with an unseasonably hot tropical air mass brought exceptionally high temperatures between Monday 25th and Wednesday 27th.
The previous May national record high temperature of 28.4 °C set in Ardfert, Co Kerry in 1997, was surpassed at a series of locations on Monday, May 25, before a greater number of climate stations reached temperatures in excess of 30.6 °C on Tuesday, May 26.