Wettest Winter On Record For May Counties – Met Éireann

Met Éireann has said this winter was the wettest and mildest winter on record for many counties.

It was a mild winter for Ireland, with almost all seasonal mean air temperatures about their Long-Term Average (LTA). February's monthly mean air temperatures were the only month to report below LTAs, making it colder than December and January.

Differences in seasonal LTAs ranged from 0.1°C at Markree, Co Sligo (seasonal mean temperature of 5.7°C) to 1.5°C at Phoenix Park, Dublin, which reported a seasonal mean temperature of 6.7°C.

The highest seasonal maximum – 16.0°C – was reported at Malin Head, Co Donegal, on 17 December, with the lowest winter temperatures recorded during the last week in February. The lowest air minimum was -5.9°C and reported at Mullingar, Co Westmeath, on 24 February.

Elsewhere, all seasonal rainfall totals were above their LTA rainfall, with double or more LTA rainfall reported in parts of the South, East and southeast Midlands. Monthly rainfall totals also were above their monthly LTAs during the three months of winter.

December reported the wettest conditions (compared to LTA), while seasonal percentage of LTA rainfall values ranged from 134% at Mace Head (seasonal rainfall total 514.2mm) to 248% at Roche's Point, Co Cork (seasonal rainfall total 682.8mm).

Seasonal sunshine totals were lowest at Knock Airport, Co Mayo, where 120.0 hours (daily mean 1.3 hrs, 81% of LTA) was reported. The highest seasonal sunshine was 194.5 hours (daily mean 2.1 hrs, 104% of LTA) at Dublin Airport.

Meanwhile, there were six named storms over winter; Desmond, Eva, Frank, Gertrude, Henry and Imogen. The season's highest gust of wind – 73 knots (or 135km/h) – was reported at Belmullet, Co Mayo, on 23 December as part of Storm Eva, as well as at Sherkin Island, Co Cork, on 8 February during Storm Imogen. Seasonal mean wind speeds ranged from 7.7 knots (14.3 km/h) at Fermoy, Co Cork, to 19.1 knots (35.4 km/h) at Mace Head, Co Galway.

(JP)