January Breaks Dull Records

January has broken records for being dull, Met Eireann has revealed.

The mean temperatures for the first month of the year were above normal everywhere with largest differences above normal in the west and southwest.

Stations in the southwest reported their warmest January since 2002, while stations in the west and midlands reported their warmest January since 2007. Maximum air temperatures were above normal, with most recorded on the 3rd and with the month’s highest temperature of 13.1°C recorded at Shannon Airport on the same date.

However, despite the ambient heat, sunshine totals were below normal almost everywhere, with a number of stations reporting it was the dullest January in five to 19 years, with Valentia reporting the least sunshine this month, with 21.9 hours and its dullest January since 1983.

Minimum air temperatures were also above normal for the time of year, with Sherkin Island recording a January minimum temperature of 2.5°C, the warmest at the site since 1990.

Other stations in the south and southwest reported their warmest minimum temperatures in 10 to 19 years, while most remaining stations across the country reported their warmest in at least five years.

Rainfall was above average almost everywhere, except for stations in the south. Roche’s Point and Johnstown Castle received 61% and 63% of their long-term average rainfall, respectively, with Johnstown Castle recording its driest January since 2007.

(DW)