CLIMATE CHANGE

IN IRELAND

By Rachel and Carmela

Ireland before climate change

Weather

and climate have been observed in Ireland for over 150 years. We know a
great deal about past weather and climate patterns. When it comes to the future we
must rely on computer models. These models provide a range of projections of the
future state of the climate. The range is needed to take into account the uncertainty
in the future level of greenhouse gases emitted, and also uncertainties in the
models themselves.

This

indicates that the rise in global temperature is likely to exceed 2 C by the end
of this century and that could rise to as much as 4.5 C depending on the level of
greenhouse gas emissions. This global temperature increase so far has not been
uniform, e.g. temperatures in the Arctic have been rising much faster than the global
average. Sea levels will rise and rainfall patterns will change with significant regional
and local variations expected.

 In

Ireland the average air temperature has risen by approximately 0.8C in

the last 100 years, with much of the warming occurring towards the end of
the 20thcentury, all seasons are warmer.

Some

of the impacts can already be seen; the start of the growing season
for certain species is now up to 10 days earlier, there has been a decrease
in the number of days with frost and increase in the number of warm days.

Facts about climate in ireland

Six

out of the ten warmest years in Ireland

have happened since 1990.
There has been a decrease of frost days and
the frost seasons have shortened.
There has been an increase of rainfall in the
northern and western areas.
While there has been a decrease of rainfall in
the southern and eastern areas.

The future climate effects in

Ireland
The

sea levels will rise.

Stronger storms.
Increase in rainfall.
Increased magnitude of river and coastal flooding.
Water shortages in the summer in the eastern
areas
Changes in distribution of plant and animal
species.

Sea

levels are rising by 2-4mm each year.

about 60% of the population live within 10km
of the coast.
Areas of soft coastlines are under severe threat
from erosion and flooding.
There have been milder winters and warmer
summers, but there is a bigger impact on the
rest of the world.

Air

temperatures will rise by 1.5-2 degrees by 2080.

Rainfall will increase in the winter and decrease during
the summer.
Sea tempertature will rise by 2 degrees,this will cause
intense and aggressive storms.
There will be flooding and erosion from extreme
weather conditions.
Agriculture will be altered to adapt to extreme weather
changes.

Temperature in Ireland
Ireland

experiences a lack of temperature extremes

compared to other areas at similar latitudes. There is
regional variation, with inland areas being cooler in
winter and warmer in summer than their coastal
counterparts.

The

warmest areas are found along the southwest

coast. Valentia island has the highest annual
temperature, at 10.9 C.

The

coldest areas are found inland. Mullingar has the

lowest annual temperature, at 9.3 C.

 The

highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3 C at

kilkenny castle on 26 June 1887. The lowest temperature was -19.1
C at Markree castle on 16 January 1881. Although Ireland has no
mountain-based meteorological station, it is almost certain its
mountains have seen temperatures of -25 C.

Extreme

heat and cold are both rare throughout the country. Summer
temperatures exceed 30 C usually once or twice every decade .
although they commonly reach the high 20s most summers, while
severe freezes occur only occasionally in winter, with temperatures
below -10 C being very uncommon in the lowlands, and
temperatures below freezing uncommon in many coastal areas,
although temperatures in the Wicklow Mountains are said to reach -10
C annually.

Thanks for listening