Distribution of driving rain in Ireland

Abstract

The climate of Ireland is changing. Consequently, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded this project to update 'climate maps and data to support building design standards in Ireland'. The motive of this research was to produce driving rain intensity indices according to I.S. EN ISO 15927-3:2009 (ISO, 2009), based on data from the latest climate normal 1991 - 2020, for use in building design to enhance resilience in support of climate change adaptation in Ireland. The driving rain intensity indices produced are the airfield annual index, annual map index, airfield spell index and spell map index as defined in I.S. EN ISO 15927-3:2009 - the map indices are defined by the standard to be easier to map with evenly spaced thresholds. The outputs of this research will benefit a wide range of stakeholders currently collaborating with Met Éireann, such as the National Standards Authority of Ireland, ARUP and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This report will also inform policy in delivering key national infrastructure such as housing and building renovation.