Donegal recorded Ireland’s sunniest day in 2025 during second-warmest year on record 

Donegal recorded the sunniest day in Ireland during the second- warmest year on record in Ireland, Met Éireann’s annual climate statement for 2025 shows.

The country’s highest number of daily sunshine hours recorded over last year was 15.7 hours at Malin Head on Saturday, July 12.

The weather station was also the driest compared to average in the country, with the 983.2 mm of rainfall it recorded being 86% of its long-term average.

Nationally, rainfall was above average at most stations with the majority of annual rainfall totals above their 1991 to2020 long-term average. 

The first eight months of the year were relatively dry but the last four months were much wetter.

Donegal also recorded some of the country’s highest winds during the year.

Mean wind speeds reached violent storm force 11 at Finner, and Malin Head as well as at Knock Airport, Co Mayo and Mace Head, Co Galway,on Friday, January 24 during storm Éowyn. 

Malin Head also recorded storm force 11 on Friday, October 3 during storm Amy. 

READ NEXT: Donegal weather station records its highest December temperature

Mean wind speeds reached hurricane force 12 at Malin Head and Mace Head, Co Galway on Friday, January  24 during storm Éowyn.

The annual climate statement found 2025 was the second warmest year on record in Ireland since 1900 with the last four years now the top four warmest years on record (2022-2025). 

The average annual air temperature for Ireland in 2025 was 11.14 °C, which is 1.59°C above the 1961-1990 long-term average (LTA) or 0.97°C above the most recent 1991-2020 LTA.

This makes 2025 the second warmest year on record, which is only slightly behind the warmest year in 2023 (11.21 °C) and only the second time with a mean over 11 °C.

The last four  years (2022-2025) are now the four warmest years on record with 2024 tying 2007 for fourth warmest, and seven of the top ten warmest years have occurred since 2005.

All mean air temperatures across the country were above their annual LTA with all 25 stations in the top three warmest years on record. Fourteen stations had their second warmest year, while eight stations had their joint warmest year on record 2025.

A marine heatwave developed off the west coast of Ireland through April and May with sea surface temperatures reaching over 2°C warmer than average in some coastal areas, and up to 4°C warmer than average in offshore areas.

Summer 2025 was the warmest on record for Ireland with five stations having their warmest summer on record and five other stations having their warmest summer since 1995.

Met Éireann says Ireland’s overall warming continues in line with the global warming trend. Seven of the top ten warmest years in Ireland have occurred since 2005, with 2025 the second warmest year on record.

Another marine heatwave earlier in 2025 and generally higher than average sea surface temperatures (SST) around our coasts and across the North Atlantic have contributed to higher than average mean temperatures and increased moisture content in the atmosphere over Ireland. 

Although 2025 was relatively dry up to August, the last four months have been very wet with numerous heavy rainfall events leading to widespread coastal and river flooding events.

Climatologist Paul Moore said: “The warming trend is very clear with the last four years being the warmest four years on record in Ireland, since 1900. 2025 saw not only our warmest spring, but also our warmest summer on record, with high nighttime temperatures contributing to the summer record. We experienced five named storms in 2025, as well as a number of impactful rain events. The continued warming brings with it the increasing risk of severe weather events.”