November was the fifth wettest in 85 years of records for Ireland and another warmer than average month, according to Met Éireann’s latest Climate Statement. Storm Claudia and a short spell of frost and wintry showers added to the unsettled picture.

The national mean air temperature was 8.61°C, placing November 2025 as the 21st warmest in 126 years. This was 1.54°C above the 1961 to 1990 long term average and 0.65°C above the most recent 1991 to 2020 benchmark. Of the ten warmest Novembers, five have occurred since 2001, while none of the ten coolest have been recorded in that time.

Rainfall was well above average in most places. The national gridded average was 189 mm, ranking fifth wettest in 85 years and 136 per cent of the 1991 to 2020 long term average. The wettest November remains 2009 with 278.8 mm, while the driest was 1942 with 33.2 mm. Four of the ten wettest Novembers have occurred since 2001, including this year.

Storm Claudia, named by the Spanish meteorological agency, stalled to the southwest of Ireland between 11 and 16 November. It steered a warm tropical maritime airmass across the country, bringing pulses of heavy rain and strong winds. On 14 and 15 November, a cold Arctic airmass undercut the warm air, creating extra lift along a stalled front over the south. This led to intense rainfall in the southeast and very strong northeasterly winds.

The third week of the month was colder and drier as high pressure to the northwest steered Arctic air south. Several very cold days followed, with widespread frosts and wintry showers, especially in the west and northwest. Later in the month, Atlantic fronts returned, bringing spells of rain and milder temperatures.

Rainfall totals were highest in the south and east. Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford recorded 237.2 mm, its wettest November in 84 years of records. The wettest day was also at Johnstown Castle, with 66.9 mm on 14 November. Oak Park in Co Carlow had the lowest monthly total at 110.1 mm.

Temperatures were above average everywhere. Deviations ranged from 0.3°C at Belmullet, Finner and Newport to 1.0°C at Casement Aerodrome and Oak Park. The lowest air temperature was -4.5°C at Mount Dillon in Co Roscommon on 21 November, while the highest was 17.5°C at Dunsany in Co Meath and Phoenix Park in Dublin earlier in the month.

Sunshine totals were also above average. Casement Aerodrome recorded 84.2 hours, 125 per cent of its long term average, while Shannon Airport had 79 hours, 127 per cent. The highest daily sunshine was 8.2 hours at Cork Airport on 17 November.

Strong winds were reported throughout the month. Malin Head in Co Donegal recorded the highest gust at 115 km/h on 27 November, along with the strongest ten minute mean wind speed of 83 km/h. Gales were reported on 11 days, with strong gale force winds at Mace Head in Co Galway and Malin Head later in the month.