Four times as much rain fell in Ireland in July as in the same month last year, said scientist Paul Moore of Met Éireann, and more unsettling weather was predicted for August.

The forecaster said that Ireland received 217% of its long-term average rainfall in July 2023. The wettest July before this one was seen in 2009 when it was 202% wetter than usual.

He added on RTÉ's Morning Ireland that 12 weather stations had July rainfall records while 17 of the 25 weather stations had above 200% of their long-term average.

The midlands and east were generally wetter, he said, and rain was relatively common across the nation.

Long-standing weather stations such as Phoenix Park in Dublin recorded 271% of the long-term average, Shannon Airport recorded 235%, Malin Head in Donegal recorded 238%, Dunsany in Co. Meath recorded 300%, Moore Park in Cork recorded 242%, and Ballyhaise in Cavan recorded 210%.

According to Mr. Moore, last October was also the nation's wettest on average and March was its wettest on average.

“Some exceptionally dry months, like February, which received only 36% of the normal rainfall, are interspersed throughout.

“So, it's kind of like the climate projections are showing that there will be more intense heavy rainfall events but also longer, drier periods.”

According to preliminary data from Met Éireann's 25 principal weather stations, the maximum day rainfall in July 2023 occurred at Dunsany on Saturday, July 22, and was closely followed by 41.2 mm at Oak Park, Co. Carlow, on Monday, July 10.

Its automated weather station in Raphoe, County Donegal, recorded 76.4 mm of rain on July 22, also, according to a provisional date, which caused flash floods in the region.

In the future, he said, Ireland would have generally higher annual rainfall and rising temperatures.

Environmental forecast models for the summer depict a more variable model with higher beginning rainfall and some lower rainfall, but the longer-term prediction is for lower summer rainfall as the temperatures keep rising.

Both record-breaking heat and record-breaking rainfall have occurred in July in the past, according to Mr. Moore.

With many active weather fronts, the jet stream has been dictating the weather in July. Speaking on August's prospects, he declared that there was “no good news” for the next week.

Low pressure is in control, so it appears to be unstable for at least the upcoming week, according to Mr. Moore.

It appears that the weather will remain unstable since a low-pressure system is expected to move in during the next three days, followed by another over the weekend.