b'Table 5.1: Observed changes in Irelands Climate The following table, taken from the National Adaptation Framework highlights the main Paramater Observed observations in Irelands changing climate.Average temperatures have increased by 0.8 o C since 1900, an average of0.07 o C per decade.While Ireland has experienced colder than normal The number of warm days (over 20 o C) has periods since 1900 there is an upwards trend in increased while the number of cold days (below 0 o C) has decreased.national temperature with higher temperatures Temperatureexperienced in the middle of the 20th century and from the 1980s to the present day. While an increaseIncrease in average annual national in average annual rainfall has been observed, preciserainfall of approximately 60mm or 5% in the period 1981 2010, compared changes in spatial patterns of precipitation cannot beto the 30 year period 1961-1990determined with further research required. The meanThe largest increases are observedover the west of the countryannual sea surface temperature has increased by onePrecipitationdegree compared to the long term average over the end of the 20th century. An increase in annual meanNo long term change in average wind speed or direction can be river flows has also been observed including meandetermined with confidence.flow increases for both the summer and winter periods. The number and intensity of storms in the North Atlantic has increased by Wind Speed approx three storms per decade sinceand Storms1950.Historically, sea level has not beenmeasured with the necessary acccuracy to determine sea level changes around Ireland. However, measurements from Newlyn, in southwest England, show a sea level Sea Level rise of 1.7cm per decade since 1916.and SurfaceTemperatures These measurements are consideredto be representative of the situationto the South of Ireland. Sea Surfaceo Coldest WinterWettestHeavy temperatures have increased by 0.85 Cfor almost 50 years JanuarySnowall in many since 1950, with 2007 the warmest year in 20 yearsareasHeavy Snowfall in Irish Coastal records. Severe Heavy Storm Emma (Source: National Adaptation Framework 2018)Flooding Rains andFloodingFlooding Severe StormFlooding Tornado Cold Spell Darwin1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Heatwave & DroughtWind Storms Heavy Rainfall Winter StormsThunderstorms Storm Force Storms, Heavy Warmest Summer Severe Warmest Summer Severe Driest WinterWinds Rain on Record Flooding on Record Flooding in 25 YearsHurricane Charlie Wind Storms HurricaneOphelia34'