Dublin experiences a maritime temperate climate characterised by mild winters, cool summers, and an absence of temperature extremes. The average maximum January temperature is 7.6 °C (46 °F), while the average maximum July temperature is 18.9 °C (66 °F). In recent years, summer temperatures have risen above historical averages e.g. 31 °C (88 °F) in July 2006, over 12 °C (54 °F) higher than the average maximum. Recent heat waves include the European heat wave of 2003 and European heat wave of 2006. Typically, the coldest months are January, February and March. The winter of 2009/2010 was the coldest since 1963 with a record low of ?12.4 °C (10 °F) recorded at Casement Aerodrome in West Dublin. On average, the sunniest months are May and June, the wettest month is December with 76 mm of rain, and the driest month is February with 50 mm.
Dublin typically records 50% less rainfall than the west of Ireland. The average annual precipitation is 732.7 mm. The main precipitation in winter is rain, however snow showers do occur between December and March. Lying snow is not common although there was over ten days of lying snow recorded in January 2010. Hail is more common than snow, and is most likely during the winter and spring months. Due to Dublin's northerly latitude, it experiences long summer days and short winter days. Strong winds from Atlantic storm systems can affect Dublin, but is less affected when compared to other parts of Ireland due to its easterly location. Strong winds are most common in autumn, but can occur at anytime.
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