Spring 2026 was “exceptionally warm”, making it the third warmest spring on record, according to Met Éireann.

The national mean spring 2026 temperature across March, April and May was 10.14°C, the latest seasonal climate report from the national forecaster showed.

This was 1.02°C above the 1991-2020 long-term average (LTA) and 1.77°C above the 1961-1990 LTA.

Seven of the 10 warmest springs have occurred since 2001. In descending order, these are: 2025; 2026; 2024; 2017; 2023; 2007; and 2011.

However, the report highlighted that rainfall was near normal overall, with the season also wetter than average in the west and drier than average in the south and east. 

Breakdown by month

While March was mild and relatively wet overall, it was drier in the south. The month saw periods of frontal rain or showers at times, sometimes heavy, but also some dry days.

April was mild and quite sunny overall. It was wet in the west and dry in the east. Storm Dave, named by the UK Met Office, passed over the north-west of Ireland late in April.

High pressure to the north took control for the final third of the month and brought much drier and sunnier conditions in an easterly airflow. 

May was mild and dry overall. The first two thirds of the month were relatively cool with high pressure to the west directing Arctic airmasses over Ireland.

A hot tropical continental airmass and an intense area of high pressure, known as a 'heat dome', brought record-high temperatures for May and spring during the final third of the month, along with plenty of sunshine.

Rainfall

Most seasonal rainfall totals were above their 1991-2020 LTA

The percentage of seasonal rainfall values ranged from 60% (99.4mm) at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin to 127% (305.5mm) at Athenry, Co. Galway.

The number of very wet days ranged from two days at both Oak Park, Co. Carlow and Dublin Airport, Co. Dublin to 11 days at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry.

It was the wettest spring for seven years in parts of the north-west and the driest spring for six years in parts of the east.

Temperature

All mean air temperatures across the country were above their LTA for the season.

Deviations from mean air temperature ranged from +0.5 °C (9.9°C) at Belmullet, Co. Mayo to +1.3°C at both Dublin Airport, Co. Dublin (9.7°C) - its second warmest spring on record, behind 1990 - and Phoenix Park, Co Dublin (10.3°C)

Mean temperatures for the season ranged from 8.9 °C (1.0°C above its LTA) at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo to 10.7 °C at both Sherkin Island, Co. Cork and Shannon Airport, Co. Clare (0.9 °C above their LTAs).

The season’s highest temperature at a synoptic station was reported at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare on May 26 with a temperature of 30.6°C .

All stations reported ground frost during the season. The number of days with ground frost ranged from three days at Cork Airport to 45 days at Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin.

More than half of stations reported air frost.

Sunshine and wind

Nearly all available sunshine totals were above their LTA for the season.

The highest number of daily sunshine hours recorded this season was 15.2 hours at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford on Tuesday, May 26.

Seasonal mean wind speeds ranged from 6.4 knots (11.9 km/h) at Moore Park, Co. Cork to 15.1 knots (28.0 km/h) at Mace Head, Co. Galway.

Gales were reported on numerous days, with strong gales reported on eight days during the season.

The number of days with gales ranged from zero days at a few stations to 15 days at Mace Head, Co. Galway.