With spring nearly over, provisional figures show Northern Ireland has enjoyed its sunniest spring since records began, clocking in 570 hours of sunshine across the region by 21 May. County Down led the way with 612.1 hours. While it was the second sunniest April, rainfall levels weren’t notably low compared to the rest of the UK.
May has also been drier than usual, following a dry March — the ninth driest on record. Though rainfall hasn’t reached record lows, the combination of prolonged sunshine, warmer temperatures, and persistent easterly winds has led to higher evaporation rates, prompting wildfire alerts.
Farmers have largely welcomed the dry conditions, allowing them to progress with fieldwork and early grazing. However, concerns are growing over increasingly dry soil. While recent rain on 12 May brought some relief in parts like County Tyrone, arable farmers warn that without more rain soon, crop growth may suffer. In County Down, silage production is ahead of schedule, but cereal and vegetable growers are beginning to feel the strain.
Soil moisture deficits have risen above 50mm in many regions, limiting plant growth. Met Éireann predicts rain later this week, potentially easing the situation, though the timing remains uncertain.
While one sunny season doesn’t confirm climate change, scientists agree such extremes are becoming more common due to global warming — including heatwaves, droughts, and intense rainfall events.
