July was drier, warmer and sunnier than normal in the North West but not to the same extent as in the rest of the country.

Meteorologists have confirmed a dominant area of high pressure meant July 2026 was the second hottest July since 1900, the driest July on record, and one of the sunniest months on record in Ireland.

But readings from local stations showed the North West was slightly less dry, a little less warm and somewhat less sunny than the southern provinces.

Met Éireann’s July climate statement, for example, shows the monthly rainfall total at Malin Head was 72 per cent (61.5 mm) below its 1991-2020 Long-Term Average (LTA) – the closest station to its LTA in the 26 counties.

Christine and Martin enjoying the sun in Brooke Park in July. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

placeholder image — Christine and Martin enjoying the sun in Brooke Park in July. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

The number of rain days, meanwhile, ranged from one at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford to 17 days at Malin Head.

All mean air temperatures across the 26 counties were above their LTA. Deviations from mean air temperature ranged from +0.7 °C (15.1 °C, the month’s lowest mean temperature) at Malin Head, to +3.4 °C (18.5 °C) at Cork Airport.

Monthly sunshine totals ranged from 133.7 hours at Malin Head to 332.4 hours at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford (the highest July and all-month sunshine duration on record for Ireland).

As is usually the case Malin Head was the windiest station in the country.

Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 5.2 knots (9.6 km/h) at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan to 13.0 knots (24.1 km/h) at Malin Head.

Gales were reported on Wednesday, July 1, at Malin Head. The number of days with gale force winds ranged from zero days at most stations to one day at Malin Head.

Both the month’s highest gust and 10-minute mean wind speed was reported at Malin Head on July 1. The highest gust was 47 knots (87 km/h) while the month’s highest 10-minute mean wind speed was 36 knots (67 km/h), according to Met Éireann.

According to the Met Office the North was its eighth driest July on record, with 30 per cent of average rainfall.

It experienced its joint fourth warmest July for mean temperature on record.

The North recorded its highest daily minimum temperature (the lowest temperature recorded during the 24-hour period from 9am-9pm) on record.

And it was the ninth sunniest July on record.