Highest gust recorded at Malin Head, as Inishowen enjoyed warmest August since 1997

Malin Head recorded the highest wind speed in the country last month, while it was also the warmest August in almost thirty years, the latest data from Met Eireann has revealed.

In further evidence of global warming, the average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius in Inishowen last month meant it was our hottest August since 1997 and our fourth hottest month ever recorded.

Malin Head also recorded its highest mean monthly minimum temperature for August since records began, of a balmy 11.8 degrees.

It was Inishowen’s driest August for three years too, with 61.5 millimetres of rainfall, which is almost 40 percent less than the expected long-term average for the month of 97.8mms.

Meanwhile, gusts reached 56 knots (104 kph) at Malin Head on Monday, August 4, the highest nationally, while the Inishowen weather station also recorded the highest ten-minute wind speed on the same day of 43 knots (80 kph).

READ NEXT: Ireland’s most northerly guesthouse granted planning permission makeover

Inishowen also enjoyed the highest daily sunshine total in the country last month, with 13.2 hours of sun at Malin Head on Sunday, August 17.

The warmest day of the month saw temperatures soar to 23 degrees on August 25, while temperatures were 20 degrees or higher at Malin Head on 7 different days during the month.

There were 15 days without any rain whatsoever, including 14 consecutive days during a relative heatwave from August 11 until August 24.