Wexford among sunniest locations during May

Ireland has recorded its hottest May on record, according to the latest climate statement from Met Éireann, with national temperatures exceeding long-term averages by more than 2°C during a late-month heatwave.

An intense area of high pressure combined with a warm tropical air mass between May 25th and 27th pushed temperatures well above normal, with several stations across the country exceeding 30°C. The previous national May record, set in 1997, was surpassed at multiple locations and is now undergoing formal verification.

While much of the focus was on extreme heat, County Wexford also stood out for exceptional sunshine levels. At Johnstown Castle, 15.2 hours of bright sunshine were recorded on Tuesday, May 26th — one of the highest daily sunshine totals in Ireland during the month.

The east of the country generally experienced above-average sunshine, contrasting with more variable conditions in parts of the west and south.

Met Éireann data shows May 2026 was the 7th warmest since 1900, with a national mean temperature of 12.54°C. Rainfall levels were below average in most areas, particularly in the east, with some stations experiencing extended dry spells lasting several weeks.

Despite the early part of the month being relatively cool and unsettled, conditions shifted sharply in the final third as high pressure dominated, bringing settled, sunny and increasingly hot weather.

A number of climate stations recorded new May maximum temperature highs, and several readings above 30°C are currently being reviewed to confirm whether a new national May temperature record has been set.

Met Éireann says the event highlights a continuing trend of increasingly warm springs in Ireland, with many of the warmest Mays on record occurring since the early 2000s.