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Fallow deer clash antlers during the rutting season in Phoenix Park, Dublin in October. Niall Carson/PA

The mild December weather broke temperature records at Phoenix Park today

The record temperature for Finner in south Donegal has been equalled, meanwhile.

WARM AIR FROM the Azores has sent temperatures around the country soaring, breaking records in Dublin’s Phoenix Park for December.

As of 11am today, the temperature in Phoenix Park was 15.7 degrees – pipping the record, set last year, of 15.6 degrees.

Things are unseasonably mild right across the country, with Finner, south Donegal, equalling its December record, also with a temperature of 15.7 degrees this morning.

“It’s exceptionally mild today, and we’re breaking a few records around the country, and I’m keeping an eye in Phoenix Park,” meteorologist Liz Walsh told TheJournal.ie.

It was 15.7 at 11am this morning, so that’s broken the record in Phoenix Park.
This is about as warm as it gets in December. I mean last December we had the warmest December on record. And we’re having another warm spell.

The highest temperature ever recorded in December in Ireland was 17.1 degrees at Dublin Airport in 1948.

“We’re still a little way off that,” Walsh said. “It could happen, but I’m not holding my breath.

The reason why we have the warm air is we have air that’s originated from the Azores near southern Spain, and there are southerly winds as well – quite gusty, and they’re basically producing warm temperatures for December.

Phoenix Park A jogger in Phoenix Park at the end of October. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

Freezing

It’s going to stay mild until Saturday, when temperatures will dip down to close to freezing at night.

Met Éireann are forecasting temperatures of of 12-13 degrees for tomorrow and Friday.

“It could level off later today,” Walsh said. “We have a cold front tracking eastwards over the country, but it’s taking a little while to meander across. If more records do happen it will be on the east coast.

“When the cold front comes through it will knock the temperatures on their head. We’re just waiting.

Temperatures will start to reduce again by the weekend, although not as cold as before this current mild spell. It will be more like average December temperatures, a maximum of 8-10 degrees during the day, dipping to zero at night.

The UN has said that 2016 is very likely to be the hottest year ever recorded – beating the record set just last year. Walsh speculated whether the record depletion of the Arctic icecap has thrown the Jet Stream – which usually regulates Irish weather – off course.

“There is stuff going on,” she said. “We’ve had Arctic ice at its lowest ever. So that could throw the Jet Stream.

“The Jet Stream is not as strong as it was this time last year, so there are things happening alright.”

Read: The cold snap is over: It will be a balmy 13 degrees today

Read: Heating up: 2016 “very likely” to be hottest year on record, says UN

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19 Comments
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    Mute Derek Moran
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    Dec 7th 2016, 1:24 PM

    It better get back to normal as im going to lanzarote on the weekend and cant be havin good weather here.

    132
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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Dec 7th 2016, 1:31 PM

    Should be fine this weekend but if you’re there for a week rain starts Thursday

    16
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    Mute Thomas Maher
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    Dec 7th 2016, 2:44 PM

    A sure that’s fine there’s a grand bit of drying today.

    13
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    Mute cryptoskitzo
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    Dec 7th 2016, 1:59 PM

    The picture of the jogger in the park in october explains everything

    124
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    Mute Lurfic
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    Dec 7th 2016, 2:33 PM

    Along with the picture of the deer, also in October. I think the intention was to let us know that there are, in fact, other months.

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    Mute Jonathan Baum
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    Dec 7th 2016, 3:04 PM

    The Azores are not near southern Spain. They’re in the middle of the Atlantic

    48
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    Mute mickmc
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    Dec 7th 2016, 12:50 PM

    If this is global warming bring it on. No heat on for 2 days now.

    34
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    Mute John S
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    Dec 7th 2016, 1:34 PM

    @mickmc:: I’ve been walking around topless like a Geordie for the past 2 days…..

    19
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    Mute mickmc
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    Dec 7th 2016, 3:13 PM

    Well good for you. Mind you we don’t need to see any picture.

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    Mute John S
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    Dec 7th 2016, 3:40 PM

    @mickmc: Oh get a good mental picture father!!

    3
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    Mute mickmc
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    Dec 7th 2016, 3:43 PM

    The mental picture would be much more pleasant if you were female.

    6
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    Mute Mr D
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    Dec 7th 2016, 12:45 PM

    Its fierce close today

    32
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    Mute SquideyeMagpie
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    Dec 7th 2016, 12:42 PM

    Everything coming up millhouse for Donegal this week

    29
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    Mute MackPilon
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    Dec 7th 2016, 1:15 PM

    Must take advantage of the pause and clean me chimneys

    22
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    Mute Mrs M
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    Dec 7th 2016, 12:44 PM

    Yep got the bikini on I’m going to the beach layer :)

    15
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    Mute Mrs M
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    Dec 7th 2016, 12:44 PM

    Later !

    4
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    Mute MackPilon
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    Dec 7th 2016, 1:35 PM

    @Mrs M: Jaziz, thought you were going for the burkini look……

    4
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    Mute neil mc nelis
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    Dec 14th 2016, 11:53 PM

    Hey there,

    DID ANYBODY NOTICE, THAT THE RTE TV 9.30 WEATHER REPORT SHOWED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AROUND
    THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY WILL BE -13 YEH… THAT’S RIGHT MINUS 13. EVELYN CUSACK DID NOT EVEN MENTION IT
    …..ITS SO LONELY DOWN THERE ANYWAY SHURE WHO’;D BE THERE TO NOTICE……
    NEIL / SPANISH POINT.

    1
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    Mute neil mc nelis
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    Dec 14th 2016, 11:47 PM

    Did anybody notice the round blue weather sticker in the centre of Ireland near Athenry on screen behind Evelyn Cusack when she was giving the Weather Report this evening after the
    nine o’ clock news.
    There was a blue sticker indicating a cold temperature -13 ..yeh!!… that’s right minus 13.
    Poor old Evelyn did n’t seem to notice it and of course all in RTE did n’t seem to notice it either.
    I ‘;d say the folks round Athenry will be singing …… its so lonely and effing cold round Athenry…

    Neil. Spanish Point…

    1
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