2006 hottest ever for many places

Last year was the warmest year for many parts of the Republic since meteorological records began in the 19th century, according to Met Éireann.

Records show 2006 was the sunniest in several decades in many parts of the State, and rainfall was above average almost everywhere.

The figures for 2006, which follow an exceptionally warm 2005, will add to concerns over global warming and its effects on Ireland's climate.

Mean air temperatures were just over one degree above normal, making it the warmest year since 1997. At five stations - Casement Aerodrome, Kilkenny, Rosslare, Belmullet and Malin Head - it was the warmest year on record.

Nine of the 12 warmest years at the Phoenix Park station have been recorded since 1995, and last year's mean annual temperature of 10.6 degrees at this station was the joint highest, along with 2002, in a series extending back to 1855.

Irish trends are in line with international rises in temperature. According to provisional figures from the World Meteorological Organisation, 2006 was the sixth warmest year since records began in 1861. Average temperatures are almost 0.5 degrees above the average for 1961-90.

Both the US and parts of Europe experienced summer heatwaves, and air temperatures in Europe were the highest on record, at over 2.7 degrees above normal. The hottest spell in Ireland was in mid-July, with the highest temperature, 32.3 degrees, recorded at Elphin, Co Roscommon. This was the highest value seen in Ireland since 1976.

Only March was colder than normal, while June, July, September and October were particularly warm.

Shannon Airport had its sunniest year since 1968, while at Dublin airport it was the sunniest year since 1959. The lowest air temperature of -7.8 degrees was recorded at Birr in early March.

December 2006 was the wettest and windiest December for at least six years, according to Met Éireann.

Most unusually for the month, no snow was recorded at any station, though fog was widespread in the middle of the month. With rainfall significantly above average in parts of the midlands, west and north, it was the wettest December for six or seven years.

Mean wind speeds were between eight and 12 knots generally and up to 17 knots in the north and northwest, the highest figures for between six and 12 years.

However, Met Éireann has yet to input figures for the last three days of the month, when significant storms blew over the country.