Donegal weather station records its highest December temperature

Donegal’s Finner weather station has recorded its highest daily December temperature.

The 16.1°C recorded on December 9 was the highest December maximum temperature on record at the station, exceeding the 15.7°C recorded in December 2016.

Met Éireann’s Climate Statement for December 2025 revealed that nearly all mean air temperatures at weather stations around the country were above their long term average for the month.

The month’s highest daily temperature was reported at Phoenix Park, Co Dublin on December 9 with a temperature of 17.2 °C, its highest December maximum temperature on record.

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December 2025 was a mixed month,  according to the latest monthly climate statement from Met Éireann.

Atlantic low pressure dominated the first two-thirds, bringing mild, wet and sometimes windy conditions, followed by a cool, dry and less windy final third when high pressure to the north became established. 

Along with widespread gales and heavy rain, Storm Bram brought a very warm tropical maritime air-mass from the south with record high maximum daily temperatures for December at twelve stations.

Named by Met Éireann, Storm Bram rapidly intensified as it approached Ireland from the Azores on Monday, December 8  and brought heavy rain and widespread gales on Tuesday, December  9 as the storm centre brushed the west coast of Ireland moving northwards. 

Bram, coming from a much warmer part of the Atlantic, brought a very warm tropical maritime airmass north over Ireland on Tuesday 9th, breaking daily maximum temperature records for December at numerous stations.

High pressure built to the north of Ireland for the final third of the month and kept it mostly dry in an easterly airflow. It was sunny at times, especially over the Christmas period but got progressively cooler and cloudier towards the end of the month.