Cavan records triple the average rainfall for July

Met Eireann's weather station in Ballyhaise recorded 210% of it's long-term average rainfall in July 2023 - that's three times the usual amount.

Provisonal data from the national meteorologist service shows July 2023 was the wettest July on record in Ireland with four times as much rain fell in Ireland compared to the same month last year, and that more unsettled weather was on the way for August.

According to a provisional report from the forecaster, Ireland had 217% of it long-term average rainfall in July 2023, with other weather stations like Phoenix Park in Dublin getting 271% of its long term average, while Shannon Airport had 235%, Malin Head in Donegal had 238%, Dunsany, Co Meath had 300%, while Moore Park in Cork had 242%.

The previous wettest July was recorded in 2009 and this was 202% of its long-term average.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "Seventeen of the 25 weather stations have had over 200% of their long-term average, with 12 stations having record high rainfall for July."

He added that rain was quite widespread across the country and the midlands and east were wetter on average.

"March had its wettest March on average as well and last October, across the whole country, was the wettest on average as well," Mr Moore said.

"It's broken up with some very dry months, like February only had 36% of average rainfall.

"So it's kind of the climate projections are showing that there will be more intense heavy rainfall events but also longer, drier periods."

Provisionally, the highest daily rainfall in July 2023 from Met Éireann's 25 primary weather stations was 41.6 mm at Dunsany on Saturday 22 July, followed closely by 41.2 mm at Oak Park, Co Carlow on Monday 10 July.

Provisional date from its automatic weather station at Raphoe, Co Donegal, showed 76.4 mm of rainfall, also on 22 July, which led to flash flooding in the area.

Looking ahead, he added, Ireland will continue to have rising temperatures and higher annual rainfall overall.

For the summer, environmental projection models show a more mixed model of higher rainfall initially and some lower rainfall, but the longer term projection is for lower rainfall for the summer as the temperatures keep rising.

Mr Moore said that the jet stream had been determining the weather in July, with a number of active weather fronts.

Speaking about what is ahead for August, he said that there was "no good news" for the next week.

"It looks to stay unsettled for at least the next week with low pressure in charge," Mr Moore said.

"There's this low pressure coming in and over the next few days and then another one coming in over the weekend so it does look like it will stay unsettled.