With Storm Éowyn due to hit Ireland in the next 24 hours, we can all clearly see the effects of climate change on Ireland's weather events
Violent storms are becoming more commonplace in Ireland and worldwide bringing damage and flooding in their wake. Storm Darragh in early December caused everything from power outages to the closure of Holyhead port, while there are warnings that Storm Éowyn may be among th e'severest storms' Ireland has ever seen. We have also seen the the imminent dangers of climate change with recent cascading and catastrophic rain storms in Spain, Italy and France.
Ireland is experiencing more storms, while weather conditions are getting wetter and wetter. 2023 was the the wettest year on record in Ireland and rainfall in the early months of 2024 was also above average, ranging from 96% and 139% of the average levels of rainfall.
In this week's Brainstorm podcast, presenter Ella McSweeney talks to Prof Conor Murphy from the ICARUS Climate Research Centre and Department of Geography in Maynooth University and Dr Ruth Quinn from the Department of Civil Engineering & Construction at IT Sligo/ATU about all of this increased rainfall, floods and storms. They discuss why we may have to look at the increasing deluges in a different way and what the future may hold for such a critical resource.
READ: Why have we seen so many storms in Ireland in recent years?
READ: If devastating Spanish floods don't ignite climate action, what will?
READ: Wet, wet, wet: last decade saw most rainfall in 300 years
READ: Why you should be collecting and using rainwater
The credits: this RTÉ Brainstorm podcast series is presented by Ella McSweeney, research is by Hazel O'Leary, the producer is Adrian Carty and it was recorded by Shane Dempsey at Collaborative Studios. RTÉ Brainstorm is edited by Jim Carroll and the assistant editor is Aoife Ryan-Christensen. The series is proudly supported by Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
