Re‐Investigating Ireland's Minimum Air Temperature Record—Markree Castle, 16th January 1881

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this research, data rescue and analysis of available meteorological archives from the late‐19th century were carried out to re‐investigate Ireland's minimum air temperature record of −19.1°C at Markree Castle on 16th January 1881. In addition to analysing this data in detail, we also conducted a comprehensive investigation of newspaper archives and meteorological documents published at the time of the record. The month of January in 1881 was exceptional across Ireland and Britain, with unprecedented frost and blizzard conditions across both islands. Many places saw record low temperatures during this period, with some stations setting records that stand to the present day. A thorough analysis of the rescued data, inspectors' reports, and station metadata for Markree showed compelling support for the record temperature. Following careful consideration of all of the evidence from both the metadata and the data analysis, our recommendation is that Ireland's long‐standing record minimum air temperature value of −19.1°C at Markree on 16th January 1881 should continue to stand.