Objectively mapping accumulated temperature for Ireland

Heating degree-days are a measure of accumulated temperature that have been used by heating engineers to compare with fuel consumption figures for energy analysis. One of the problems with using degree-days is estimating their spatial variation which can be significant over short distances. Objective mapping of the spatial variation in degree-days for Ireland has been achieved by applying statistical models of the spatial variation, over monthly, annual and heating season periods, to a specially constructed digital terrain model of Ireland. The resulting maps lend themselves to a more positive geographical appreciation of the variation involved and indicate areas with anomalous temperature regimes which invite further micro-scale studies. These maps will be of benefit to the energy industry and similar maps of growing degree-days could be constructed for use by the agricultural industry in Ireland.