RECORDS WERE broken yesterday when the temperature soared to 25.5 degrees in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in the afternoon.
The reading surpassed the warmest temperature officially recorded anywhere in the country by Met Éireann in 2011. The previous high recorded this year was 25.4 degrees in Oak Park in Carlow on June 3rd.
While hot days are not uncommon during September, they usually occur early in the month.
Yesterday’s temperatures were the highest ever recorded so late in the month with most of the country over 20 degrees.
However, the sunshine did not extend everywhere with areas in the south and southwest in particular experiencing overcast conditions and temperatures of about 14 degrees.
Mark Dunphy, editor of irishweatheronline.com, explained that the divided fortune in weather for the different parts of the country was based on a rain front coming in from the Atlantic Ocean clashing with a high pressure system travelling north from continental Europe.
“Along the east coast it was about eight to 10 degrees warmer than the average for September but along the south and southwest coast it was a completely different day,” he said.
He added that the sunny weather would not last long and that, unfortunately, talk of a heatwave was premature.
“What makes it unusual is that we have come off one of the coolest summers for 30 or 40 years.”
While people basked in the sunshine yesterday, organisers of Dublin’s inaugural 7UP Winter Wonderland were inside the cool confines of the Royal Kilmainham Hospital toasting to a white Christmas.
They unveiled plans for the winter park, coming to Ireland for the first time, which will be held at the venue from December 1st to January 8th.
The oddity of launching a “Winter Wonderland Park” on the hottest afternoon of the year was not lost on MC for the day, Gráinne Seoige.
“I know that we do have fabulous weather today but I think that snow is on the way in a matter of weeks,” she reassured those gathered for the launch.
The attraction will feature Ireland’s largest ice rink, a family Christmas circus, a Santa’s Christmas village, amusement rides and several indoor bars and cafes.
Entry to the park will be free and dedicated shuttle services will run from the city centre for the five weeks that it is open.