THE MERCURY HIT 19.5 degrees in Valentia, Co Kerry, yesterday.
It goes without saying, that’s unseasonably mild for the start of November. So what’s going on with this strangely mild weather – and will it last?
According to Met Éireann forecaster Harm Luijkx, the average temperature for Valentia for November is 11.8 Celsius. For October, the average is 14.3 – so, considering we’re at the very start of November, the average temperature for this time of year is somewhere around 13 degrees.
That means the temperature in Kerry was some 6.5 degrees above average yesterday.
Other parts of the country, of course, also experienced mild conditions – while in the UK, parts of Wales experienced the warmest November temperatures on record, with 22.4 C recorded in west Wales.
So what’s behind it?
According to Luijkx, there are a combination of factors at play. A warm air mass has been settled off the south-west of the country for quite a while. That, combined with a high pressure system and prolonged sunshine led to an increase in temperatures in recent days.
After a foggy start in many parts of the country, it’s mild again this afternoon – with temperatures of 18 degrees forecast for the southwest later.
The rainfall radar for the country shows cloudless skies from Mizen to Malin:
It’s not all plain sailing though. Here’s the current outlook for tonight from Met Éireann:
A lot of dry weather tonight. Some clear spells for a time, but murky conditions developing gradually, with patches of mist, fog and low cloud returning once again. Lowest temperatures 6 to 9 C., under cloud and fog, but down to 3 or 4 C., where skies hold clear. Winds will be light southeasterly or variable, falling calm in places.
It will be more unsettled in coming days, with top temperatures of 15 degrees tomorrow.
After that, it will stay relatively mild for the time of year for the rest of the week – “although a spell of wet and windy weather is possible for Saturday”.
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