Sir, – Brian Ahern (Letters, July 1st) asks how Ireland’s record temperature of 33.3 degrees could have been recorded at Kilkenny in 1887.
A recent peer-reviewed study by Met Éireann (Re-Investigating Ireland’s Maximum Air Temperature Record – Kilkenny Castle, 26 June 1887, International Journal of Climatology) re-examined this record using newly rescued data, weather station records, and contemporary weather reports. The researchers found an exceptional combination of prolonged sunshine, dry ground, light winds and favourable airflow created the conditions for an unusually high temperature, concluding there is no convincing evidence that the reading was incorrect.
Such rare hot extremes have always been possible; what climate change does is increase their frequency and intensity. One record hot day in 1887 is therefore entirely consistent with the scientific evidence for a warming climate. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’SULLIVAN,
RM Block
Stoneybatter,
Dublin 7.
