2025 is the sunniest spring ever recorded in NI

Spring is almost over and provisional records show it has been the sunniest spring on record in Northern Ireland.

The number of hours of sunshine, averaged across Northern Ireland from the start of spring up to 21 May was 570 hours, surpassing the previous record in 2020.

County Down recorded the most sunshine, so far, with 612.1 hours.

It was the second sunniest April, though Northern Ireland was not exceptionally dry compared to the rest of the UK.

May, however, has also been drier than average, so far, and March too was dry, the 9th driest March on record.

This spring, measured from beginning of March until the end of May, will not break any records as far as lack of rain goes.

But the exceptional amount of sunshine, hot temperatures and frequency of drying easterly winds has led to significant evaporation, hence the recent increase in wildfire alerts.

Farmers have been delighted with the dry conditions as it allows them to reap the benefits in real terms.

But has the ground become too dry now to allow for new growth?

Stevan Patterson, a farmer from Castlederg in County Tyrone, said farmers in the area had “enough rain on Monday 12th May, one of the few rainy days so far in May, to keep the ground moist enough for growing”.

“Arable farmers who have planted crops would otherwise be getting worried particularly if no rain comes by the end of this week,” he added.

In County Down, farmers have been making the most of the good weather and are well ahead with work. Lots of grass has been cut and is in for silage.

Cattle have been out in the fields earlier this spring compared to last year.

However, Samuel Glover, who owns a farm in Saintfield, County Down, said cereal and vegetable growers will soon need rain.

“They [the crops] have shown good sign of growth so far, especially after last year’s wash out in March.

“Over the last few days, though, the ground is starting to brown in places and some rain would be welcome. Farmers would also like some rain to get fertiliser sown and slurry spread for second cuts.”

He reckons about 50mm of rain over a few days would keep things moving.

Met Éireann keep records for soil moisture deficit (SMD) and these figures are on the rise in the Republic of Ireland.

The data corresponds to the amount of rain needed to bring the soil moisture content back to field capacity and is now above 50mm in many areas, therefore growth is restricted.

Met Éireann forecasts growth to continue to be restricted this week, but that expected rain will slow the SMD and lower the values to between 20 and 50mm.

Most of the weather models agree that there will be a break down in the high pressure.

But the exact timing could still change, with the first expected spell of rain in Northern Ireland to arrive by Saturday.

Before then a few heavy, thundery showers are possible, but these are not guaranteed.

An individual spell of weather cannot be directly attributed to climate change, but climate change dictates more extreme weather events, including heatwaves, flooding and droughts.