Met Éireann Confirms Wettest August Since 1997

Rainfall was below average along western and northern coasts and in parts of the East, with the percentage of average values ranging from 73% at Newport to 225% at Johnstown Castle, its wettest August since 1997, according to data from Met Éireann. Stations mainly in Cork county had the highest percentages above average, with over double the LTA reported at Fermoy (Moorepark), and nearly all reporting their wettest Augusts in 13 to 15 years. Sherkin Island reported the month’s highest daily rainfall of 34.4 mm on the 15th, its highest in five years, while Roches Point reported its highest daily fall in 13 years on the 12th with 21.6 mm. Number of wetdays (days with 1 mm or more) were above average nearly everywhere with highest amounts recorded in the Northwest, Southwest and South. Stations at Cork Airport and Sherkin Island reported over 21 wetdays, the most at the sites since 1985 (27 years).

Mean temperatures were above average nearly everywhere with differences above average just on or below +1°C in the West and Northwest. Roches Points reported a mean temperature of 15.6°C, its highest since 1999 (13 years), while most other stations were the highest in five to nine years. Almost all highest maximum temperatures were recorded on the 10th, with the highest August maximum recorded at Shannon Airport on this date with 26.5°C, its highest since 2003 (9 years) with most other stations in the Southwest, West and Dublin areas reporting their highest maxima in seven to nine years.

(CD/GK)