Northern Ireland experienced the warmest Christmas Eve on record in 2024, with temperatures hitting an unprecedented 14.3°C at Magilligan on the north coast. This marked a significant increase from the previous record of 13.9°C, set in Armagh 82 years ago in 1942. The average temperature for Christmas Eve typically hovers around 7.5°C, making this unseasonably mild weather especially notable.
The Impact of Climate Change on Holiday Weather
According to Climate Central, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, climate change has made such warm temperatures at least five times more likely. Kristina Dahl, Vice President of Science at Climate Central, stated that the unseasonably warm weather over the Christmas holiday in the UK and Ireland clearly bears the influence of climate change.
“The warming temperatures during the Christmas period in the UK and Ireland are a clear indication that winters in the region are getting warmer,” Dahl said. “The UK is now experiencing an extra 11 days per year with temperatures above freezing due to climate change, and we expect this trend to continue unless we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.”
Record-Breaking Christmas Temperatures
In addition to the warm Christmas Eve, Northern Ireland also recorded the warmest Christmas Day on record in 2016, with Belfast reaching 14.8°C. While this year’s temperatures won’t quite reach that level, highs of around 13°C are still expected, keeping the trend of unusually mild winter weather alive.
Source: BBC