Monthly Weather Bulletin May 2014

Over half of May monthly rainfall totals were

above Long-Term Average (LTA), with below

LTA values mainly reported in southern coastal

counties and in parts of the Midlands and

North. Percentage of LTA values ranged from

42% at Ballineen, Co Cork, (the month’s lowest

rainfall total of 37.5 mm) to 210% Roscommon

(Vocational School), with a monthly total of

146.0 mm. Majority of stations with above LTA

rainfall reported a wetter May in either 2006 or

2013, with Brittas (Glenaraneen) Co Dublin

reporting the longest series of observations

MONTHLY WEATHER

BULLETIN

NO. 336

MAY

2014

MILD AND DULL

;

ABOVE AVERAGE RAIN FOR OVER HALF OF STATIONS

‘Red sky at night sheperds delight’. A red sky at sunset usually means high pressure is moving in from the West bringing dry and pleasant conditions for the next day. Above, beautiful shades of red and orange were cast in the sky at sunset over the Curragh Military Graveyard, Co Kildare at the end of May. The graveyard hosts the final resting place of military personnel and their families who were stationed at the Curragh as far back as 1860. (Photo courtesy Kieran Commins)

Produced by Met Éireann, Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9.

Annual subscription €80 (excluding VAT of 23%)

or free online at www.met.ie Data analysis based on all available data and is correct at

time of publication. For more information or for data

enquires e-mail: [email protected]

Data and graphics

,Met Éireann

INSIDE

INSIDE

SPRING

SPRINGREVIEWREVIEW20142014 -

- PAGEPAGE33

WIND

WIND && ELEMENTSELEMENTS

.

.

...

...

.

.

4

4

UPPER

UPPER ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE

...

...

.

.

5

5

LABORATORY

LABORATORY

...

...

.

.

.

.

.

.

6

6

AGMET

AGMET

...6/7

...6/7

DAILY

DAILY WEATHERWEATHER

...

...

8

8

RAINFALL

RAINFALL

... 10

... 10

TEMPERATURE

TEMPERATURE

...

...

.

.

12

12

SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE

...

...

1

1

4

4

MARINE

MARINE

&

&

PRESSUREPRESSURE

...

...

.

.

. 1

. 1

5

5

GLOBAL

2

MAY2014

exceeded with its wettest May conditions since

1976 with 155.0 mm and 200% of its LTA. The

month’s wettest day was on the 23rd at

Ballynahinch, Co Wicklow with 52.8 mm, its

wettest May day in 15 years. Kilbride (Togher),

Co Wicklow reported its wettest day on the 23rd

with 40.2 mm, nearly half of its monthly total of

85.8 mm. This resulted in the site recording its

wettest May in eight years and its wettest May

day in 10 years. Monthly rainfall accumulations

were highest at Delphi Lodge, Co Mayo with

285.7 mm.

All monthly mean air temperatures were near or

above their Long-Term Average (LTA).

Differences from average were from

-0.1°C at both Sherkin Island, Co Cork (mean

temperature of 11.6°C) and Glengariff (mean

temperature of 11.9°C), Co Cork to 1.3°C at

Derrygreenagh, Co Offaly (mean temperature of

12.0°C) , Dublin (Phoenix Park), (mean

temperature of 12.3°C) and at Cavan

(Drumconnick), (mean temperature of 12.4°C).

Monthly mean temperatures ranged from 10.6°C

at Knock Airport, Co Mayo (0.4°C above its LTA)

to 12.9°C at both Waterford (Tycor), (1.2°C above

its LTA) and Dublin (Glasnevin), (1.1°C above its

LTA). The month’s highest temperature was at

Oughterard (Ardnasillagh), Co Galway on the

28th with 23.8°C. The month’s lowest air

minimum and grass minimum were both

recorded on the 27th in the East. Dublin Airport

reported the lowest air temperature of 1.7°C

while Ashford (Cronkeery), Co Wicklow reported

the lowest grass temperature of -2.3°C.

Sunshine totals were below LTA everywhere,

with lowest sunshine totals recorded in parts of

the West and Northwest. Percentage of LTA

values and monthly sunshine totals ranged from

56% of LTA and 95.1 hours of sunshine (daily

mean of 3.07 hr/day) at Newport (Furnace), Co

Mayo, its lowest May sunshine since the station

opened in 1965 to 91% and 173.0 hours (daily

mean of 5.58 hr/day) at Belmullet. The month’s

sunniest day was also at Belmullet on the 28th

with 15.5 hours, equalling its sunniest May day

since 1966. The number of dull days

(days with less

than 0.5 hrs sunshine) ranged from four at Valentia

Observatory to nine at both Ballyshannon

(Cathleen’s Fall), Co Donegal and Dublin

(Glasnevin). It was the highest number of May

dull days at Dublin (Glasnevin) since the station

opened in 1965, while Ballyshannon equalled its

highest number of May dull days since 1973.

Wind and Elements

Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 5.6 knots

(10 km/h)

at Mullingar to 13.2 knots

(24 km/h)

at

Mace Head. Gale force winds

(mean 10-minute wind

speed of greater than 34 knots)

were reported on the 10th

and 11th in coastal locations in the South and West,

with the highest 10-minute mean wind speed of 37

knots

(68 km/h)

recorded at both Mace Head and

Sherkin Island on the 10th. Sherkin Island also

reported the month’s highest gust at this time of 48

knots

(89 km/h)

. Fog was reported on 24 days at

isolated stations across the country. Thunderstorm

activity occurred on at least two-thirds of the days

with most severe activity between the 20th and 22nd.

Hail was reported on three days, the 12th, 19th and

22nd. Numerous reports of funnel clouds, all

reported during the final 10 days of the month, most

in the Donegal, Cork and Cavan areas.

196.2 110 16.7 50 41 9.8 0.6 20.9 -1.9 n/a 3 45 31 0 7

220.7 100 12.9 61 48 9.4 0.7 19.2 -2.8 19 7 38 23 0 6

215.8 106 18.4 52 40 10.3 0.5 22.3 -1.1 10 1 403.6 93 13.6 16 43 33 0 12

282.6 110 26.9 61 48 9.2 0.5 18.7 -0.5 24 1 402.9 88 13.4 23 46 34 1 13 211.2 106 21.6 53 40 9.8 0.3 17.7 2.0 2 0 48 35 4 20

205.1 80 19.9 64 47 9.8 1.0 19.2 -1.8 14 2 48 33 0 18 192.7 91 17.8 59 42 9.4 0.9 17.0 -0.8 14 1 54 38 8 32

194.4 120 22.9 49 39 9.5 0.9 20.2 -3.3 27 5 386.7 88 14.0 17 49 34 2 15 179.4 108 16.8 54 42 9.3 0.6 20.3 -3.3 25 8 453.1 98 13.8 13 44 34 1 15

336.0 107 24.6 63 48 10.0 0.3 17.6 -0.6 5 1 435.7 101 15.3 14 56 32 0 15

240.7 100 21.7 62 49 10.0 0.7 19.1 -0.5 6 1 470.9 106 15.5 19 59 43 4 20 293.2 101 25.1 64 52 8.6 0.8 19.1 -1.3 15 3 313.6 77 12.2 20 48 31 0 13

204.4 101 13.3 54 43 9.3 0.6 20.4 -2.2 29 4 42 29 0 6

254.1 120 23.2 62 50 9.2 0.8 19.7 -2.9 32 7 34 20 0 1

224.7 104 23.9 52 39 9.5 0.6 18.0 1.2 16 0 41 29 0 9

3

SPRING REVIEW 2014

MAY2014

RAINFALL(mm) TEMPERATURE(°C) SUNSHINE(HRS) _WIND

TOTAL

DIFFERENCE

FROM EXTREMES

MEAN LTA MAXIMUM MINIMUM HIGHEST

GUST ( KNO TS ) NO . OF D A YS G ALES

CO CARLOW

CARLOW (OAK PARK)

CO CAVAN

BALLYHAISE

CO CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT

CO CORK

CORK AIRPORT ROCHE’S POINT

CO DONEGAL

FINNER MALIN HEAD

CO DUBLIN

CASEMENT AERODROME DUBLIN AIRPORT

CO KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

CO MAYO

BELMULLET KNOCK AIRPORT

CO TIPPERARY

GURTEEN

CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR

CO WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

%

OF

LT

A _{MOST IN A} DAY NO . OF RAIN DA YS

MOST IN A DAY

MILDER THAN AVERAGE WITH VARIABLE

RAINFALL AND SUNSHINE

Seasonal rainfall totals were variable with over two-thirds

reported to be above average for spring. All three month’s

reported variable rainfall totals, with driest and wettest

conditions (compared to monthly LTA) reported Donegal

in April (lowest percentage of monthly LTA 25%) and in

Roscommon in May (highest percentage of monthly LTA

210%). Seasonal percentage of LTA values ranged from

61% (seasonal total 154.9 mm) at Inishboffin, Co Galway

to 140% (seasonal total 318.2 mm) at Roscommon

(Vocational School), its wettest Spring since 1986. Spring

rainfall totals ranged from 150.5 mm (67% of its LTA) at

Inishere, Co Galway to 691.1 mm at Delphi Lodge, Co

Mayo. Over three-quarters of stations reported wetter

spring conditions in the last five years with majority of

remaining sites reporting their wettest conditions since

2006. The wettest day of spring was May 23rd at

Ballynahinch, Co Wicklow with 52.8 mm, nearly 20% of

its seasonal total of 274.8 mm (which was 99% of its

LTA).This high daily rainfall was its highest for May and

spring since the station opened in 1999. Portumna, Co

Galway reported its highest spring daily fall since 1941

with 37.5 mm on April 30th. The number of seasonal wet

days

(days with 1 mm or more of rainfall)

ranged from 33 days

at a few stations in Wexford and Kilkenny to 59 wet days

at Coomclogh, Co Cork and Drummin (Tawnyard), Co

Mayo.

All mean temperatures were above their LTAs for spring.

Most monthly mean temperatures were above their

monthly LTAs, except for parts of the Southwest in

March and May. Seasonal differences from LTA were up

to 1.4°C at Ardtarmon, Co Sligo with a seasonal mean

temperature of 10.6°C. Spring mean temperatures ranged

from 8.6°C at Knock Airport (0.8°C above its LTA) to

10.7°C at Dublin (Glasnevin)(1.1°C above its LTA).

Warrenstown, Co Meath reported a mean temperature of

9.9°C (1.2°C above its seasonal LTA) and equalled its

warmest spring since the station opened in 1961. Most

highest maxima were recorded in May with spring’s

highest temperature reported at Oughterard(Ardnasillagh),

Co Galway on May 28th with 23.8°C. Lowest air and grass

minima were mainly recorded in March, with both the

season’s lowest air and grass temperature measured at

Thomastown (Mt. Juliet), Co Kilkenny on March 11th

with -4.0°C and -9.5°C, respectively. Thomastown also

reported the highest number of days with air frost during

spring with 12 days, while another Kilkenny station of

Greenshill reported the season’s highest number days with

ground frost with 41 days.

Sunshine totals were below LTA in most parts with

exception of isolated stations in the West and Southwest.

Variable sunshine was recorded in March and April, with

below LTA sunshine reported everywhere in May.

Percentage of seasonal LTA values were lowest at Knock

Airport, Co Mayo with 77% with the station also reporting

the seasonal lowest daily mean sunshine of 3.41 hr/day.

Percentage of seasonal LTA values were highest at

Belmullet Co Mayo with 106% which also reported the

seasonal highest daily mean sunshine of 5.12 hr/day.

Belmullet measured spring’s sunniest day on May 28th

with 15.5 hours, equalling its sunniest May and spring day

since 1966. The number of dull days ranged from 13 days

at both Dublin Airport and Ardfert (Liscahane), Co Kerry

to 24 at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve.

Seasonal mean wind speeds were from 6.2 knots

(12 km/h)

at both Fermoy (Moore Park), Co Cork and Mullingar, Co

Westmeath to 14.3 knots

(27 km/h)

at Malin Head, Co

Donegal. Fourteen days with gale force winds were

reported with season’s highest 10-minute mean wind speed

recorded at Mace Head on March 24th with 45 knots

(83

km/h)

. The seasons highest gust was reported at Belmullet

on March 8th with 59 knots

(109 km/h)

.

% OF A VERA GE TOTAL NO . OF D A YS GROUND FROST NO . OF D A YS AIR FROST HIGHEST 10-MIN WIND SPEED ( KNO TS ) NO . OF D A YS GUSTS >34 KNOTS NO . OF DULL D A YS NO . OF WET DA YS

4

7.1 250° 26 10/13 260° 38 10/125 0

1

3

5.7 220° 17 17/13 230° 31 6/170 0

0

0

8.8 250° 30 10/14 240° 43 10/1307 0

2

13 0 0 0 1 2

5.8 260° 22 10/09 250° 37 10/1257 0

1

3

10.8 250° 37 10/07 250° 48 10/0810 1

7

30

11.0 250° 35 10/13 250° 46 10/1343 1

5

22

8.9 260° 28 10/12 270° 41 10/1336 0

2

15 0 0 0 0 9

12.0 160° 33 5/14 150° 42 5/1106 0

7

24

8.9 250° 24 7/11 250° 36 9/0805 0

2

2

230° 24 8/23

9.9 260° 30 8/17 250° 38 8/1527 0

4

14 0 0 0 0 2

8.7 260° 28 8/15 220° 41 9/n/a 0

4

12 0 0 1 1 0

13.2 270° 37 10/18 260° 47 10/1620 2 8

59

7.3 240° 22 7/12 110° 37 20/1621 0

1

1

9.1 260° 31 10/08 250° 44 10/0830 0

3

20

7.9 200° 22 6/13 190° 34 6/1342 0 1

1

12.0 200° 30 17/12 360° 41 22/1228 0

6

38

9.7 270° 25 7/14 180° 42 8/2150 0 4

5

340° 25 22/14

8.6 250° 26 8/14 250° 39 8/1303 0

4

10 0 10

7.5 250° 25 7/13 250° 35 10/1825 0 1

2

260° 25 10/18

6.8 260° 18 10/13 270° 29 10/1607 0

0

0

7.7 250° 24 10/12 260° 36 10/1213 0

1

3

5.6 170° 15 5/13 260° 28 10/1650 0

0

0

240° 15 7/12

8.6 250° 26 10/15 260° 40 10/1602 0

2

12

CO CARLOW

OAK PARK

CO CAVAN

BALLYHAISE

CO CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT

CO CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK)

SHERKIN ISLAND

ROCHE’S POINT

CORK AIRPORT

CO DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD

FINNER

CO DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT

CASEMENT AERODROME

CO GALWAY

MACE HEAD

ATHENRY

CO KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

CO MAYO

CLAREMORRIS

BELMULLET

NEWPORT

KNOCK AIRPORT

CO MEATH

DUNSANY (GRANGE)

CO ROSCOMMON

MOUNTDILLON

CO TIPPERARY

GURTEEN (AG COLLEGE)

CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR

CO WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

COUNTY

/

STATION

MAY2014

MEAN MAX. 10-MIN. MEAN MAX. GUST DAYS WITH HOURS WITH

SPEED DIR. SPEED DATE/HOUR DIR. SPEED DATE/TIME GALES GUST > 34KNOTS GUST > 34KNOTS SNOW SNOW LYING HAIL THUNDER FOG

< 5

5 - 10

10 - 20

20 - 35

> 35

WIND SPEED INknots

WIND (knots)

ELEMENTS (no.of days)

BELMULLET

PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION

CARLOW

(

OAK PARK

)

Upper Atmosphere wind and temperature readings are made at Valentia Observatory

twice a day by a radiosonde (a balloon with instruments attached). Shown below are daily

average wind speeds and temperatures at defined pressure levels, 850, 700, 500 and 300

hPa, corresponding approximately to heights of 1.5, 3, 6 and 10 km. Monthly wind roses

are also shown for each pressure level.

UPPER ATMOSPHERE

MAY2014

5

300 hPa

500 hPa

850 hPa

700 hPa

UPPER AIR WIND SPEED AND TEMPERATURE MAY

2014

DAY OF MONTH

300 hPa

500 hPa

700 hPa

850 hPa

SPEED

m/s

SPEED

m/s

SPEED

m/s

SPEED

m/s

TEMPERA

TURE

(°C)

TEMPERA

TURE

(°C)

TEMPERA

TURE

(°C)

TEMPERA

TURE

(°C)

6

LABORATORY

CO CARLOW

CARLOW (OAK PARK)

CO. CAVAN

BALLYHAISE

CO CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT CARRON

CO CORK

ROCHE’S POINT FERMOY (MOORE PARK) CORK AIRPORT SHERKIN ISLAND BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)

CO DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD

CO DUBLIN

PHOENIX PARK DUBLIN AIRPORT CASEMENT AERODROME

CO KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

CO KILKENNY

THOMASTOWN (MT JULIET)

CO LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL

CO MAYO

BELMULLET STRAIDE KNOCK AIRPORT

CO MEATH

WARRENSTOWN DUNSANY (GRANGE)

CO TIPPERARY

GURTEEN (AG COLLEGE) FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)

CO WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)

CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE JFK PARK

CO WICKLOW

ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)

12.3 12.0 12.1 12.0 12.1 12.7 12.5 12.4 12.4 12.3 12.7 12.4 12.1 12.4 12.8 12.6 12.8 11.3 11.1 12.1 12.5 12.4 12.6 12.0 11.5 12.0 11.5 11.6 11.6 13.1 13.2 13.3 11.7 11.7 12.2 11.9 11.8 12.2 12.6 12.7 12.9 13.3 13.5

n/a n/a n/a 12.4 12.8 13.3 12.8

11.0 11.2 11.0 12.0 12.5 13.6 11.7 12.2 12.6 11.9 11.9 12.0 11.3 11.9 13.1 13.0 12.5 12.6 12.9 12.4 12.0 12.1 13.4 13.1 13.7 13.3 13.1 13.3

100 mm 200 mm 300 mm MEAN SOIL TEMPERATURES(°C) AT0900 UTC

MAY2014

MEAN

100 mm

SOIL TEMPERATURES

(°C)

AT

0900 UTC

(

DIFFERENCE FROM 1981-2010

LTA

S IN BRACKETS

)

SOIL MOISTURE DEFICITS

(mm)

10

TH OF MONTH

/

END OF MONTH

0

REPRESENTS FIELD CAPACITY

-10

SATURATION

11.5

(+0.2)

11.0

12.0

12.5

(+0.4)

12.3

(+0.3)

9.7

(+1.2)

11.9

11.3

(0.0)

12.6

(+0.4)

12.2

11.9

(+0.5)

-3/

21

-1/

19

-8/

14

-7/

13

-4/

11

-9/

19

_0/

₁₃

-8/

13

6/

15

-1

/13

-1/

17

-10/

10

12.4

(+0.1)

Acid rain occurs when pollutants combine with moisture in the air to form sulphuric or nitric acid. pH is the simplest way of measuring the acidity of precipitation. Usually pH of 7.00 is considered neutral but this is not the case in rainfall samples. Pure water in the atmosphere has an equilibrium pH value of 5.65 at 20°C owing to carbon dioxide in the air dissolving to form carbonic acid. Any value below pH 5.65 is considered acid while any value above is considered alkaline.

Conductivity measures the total ion activity in the rainfall, i.e. the higher the conductivity the greater the number of ions.

Sulphur dioxide and sulphate in air contribute to the formation of sulphuric acid; nitrate in air contributes to the formation of nitric acid. *DATA SHOWN ARE INTERIM VALUES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

PH AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON DRY DAYS(<0.2mm)

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION AND AIR SAMPLES AT VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

COUNTY/STATION

PRECIPITATION

AIR

ELECTRICAL

CONDUCTIVITY

NO2-N

SO2-S

SO4-S (μgs/m3₎

μScm-1

7

AGMET

MAY2014

CO CORK 1-10 BALLINCURRIG 11-20

(PEAFIELD) 21-END

MONTH

CO DONEGAL 1-10 GLENTIES HATCHERY 11-20

21-END

MONTH

CO KERRY 1-10 ARDFERT 11-20

(LISCAHANE) 21-END

MONTH

CO MONAGHAN 1-10 CARRICKMACROSS 11-20

21-END

MONTH

CO WATERFORD 1-10 DUNGARVAN 11-20

(CARRIGLEA) 21-END

MONTH

CO WEXFORD 1-10 JFK PARK 11-20

21-END

MONTH

CO WICKLOW 1-10 ASHFORD 11-20

(CRONYKEERY) 1-END

MONTH

28.9 9 7 14.0 7.8 10.9 5.0 9 0 65 15 4.7 9 0 10.9 10.9 25.7 16.8 6 6 16.4 6.8 11.6 4.0 12 0 72 24 3.8 12 0 12.1 12.2 64.0 21.2 5 4 16.9 7.4 12.2 4.8 28 0 85 31 3.9 23 0 13.0 12.9 58.6

66.9 74 20 17 15.8 7.3 11.6 0.9 4.0 12 0 223 71 3.8 12 0 12.0 12.0 148.3 77

61.1 8 8 14.1 8.7 11.4 6.4 9 0 70 18 5.7 6 0 37.8 7 5 15.6 7.7 11.7 4.1 19 0 72 22 2.2 19 0 23.2 6 3 16.8 7.3 12.0 5.7 26 0 84 30 1.8 23 0

122.1 140 21 16 15.5 7.9 11.7 1.0 4.1 19 0 226 70 1.8 23 0

-36.2 8 7 14.8 9.5 12.2 8.3 7 0 77 23 7.1 7 0 - - 15.5 55.1 6 5 15.6 7.6 11.6 3.1 19 0 72 23 3.0 19 0 - - 56.0 12.2 3 3 16.5 7.6 12.1 5.8 28 0 84 29 5.0 28 0 - - 56.8 103.5 146 17 15 15.6 8.2 11.9 0.4 3.1 19 0 234 75 3.0 19 0 - - 128.3 70

28.8 9 6 14.7 8.0 11.4 5.2 6 0 70 19 1.5 6 0 19.1 7 5 16.1 8.4 12.3 5.0 14 0 79 27 1.1 14 0 16.5 6 5 16.4 8.1 12.3 5.6 28 0 86 30 1.4 28 0

64.4 98 22 16 15.8 8.2 12.0 1.1 5.0 14 0 234 76 1.1 14 0

-22.0 8 5 14.7 9.4 12.0 5.4 6 0 76 23 1.0 6 0 - 12.4 37.6 15.0 4 4 16.6 7.1 11.9 4.6 17 0 75 26 0.6 17 0 - 12.9 64.5 15.3 5 3 17.0 8.1 12.6 3.9 28 0 90 34 0.1 28 0 - 13.7 64.8

52.3 64 17 12 16.1 8.2 12.2 0.7 3.9 28 0 241 83 0.1 28 0 - 13.0 166.9 88

19.2 8 6 14.7 8.4 11.5 5.7 6 0 72 20 1.2 6 0 12.4 12.8 27.3 20.7 4 4 16.2 8.0 12.1 4.2 13 0 77 27 0.2 13 0 13.5 13.8 48.3 39.4 4 4 16.4 8.3 12.4 6.2 27 0 87 31 4.4 28 0 14.3 14.5 59.8

79.3 107 16 14 15.8 8.3 12.0 0.8 4.2 13 0 236 78 0.2 13 0 13.4 13.7 135.4 75

20.3 8 5 15.0 8.9 12.0 5.2 6 0 76 23 -0.4 6 1 12.3 12.4 26.9 23.8 5 4 16.8 9.0 12.9 5.2 17 0 85 32 -0.8 17 1 13.4 13.4 39.1 42.1 5 4 15.6 8.1 11.9 3.9 27 0 82 26 -2.3 27 3 14.1 14.2 58.6

86.2 126 18 13 15.8 8.7 12.2 1.1 3.9 27 0 243 81 -2.3 27 5 13.3 13.3 124.6 64

AMOUNT % OF

AVERA GE RAIN DA YS WET DA YS MEAN MAX . MEAN MIN . MEAN DAIL Y DIFF . FROM AV ERA G E LO WEST MIN . DA TE DA YS WITH AIR FROST DEGREE DA YS > 4.4°C DEGREE DA YS > 10.0°C LO WEST " GRASS -MIN ." DA TE DA YS WITH GROUND FROST MEAN 10 CM AT 0900 H MEAN 30 CM AT 0900 H TO TA L NO . OF HOURS % OF AVERA GE STATION PERIOD

RAINFALL TEMPERATURE SUNSHINE

(mm) (°C) (hours)

10-

DAY VALUES FOR SELECTED AGROMETEOROLOGICAL

STATIONS

MONTHLY EVAPORATION

(mm)

FROM CLASS A PAN

MONTHLY MONTHLY RAINFALL EVAPORATION COUNTY/ STATION (mm) (mm)

CO KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 114.1 71.8

CO KERRY

NORTH KERRY LANDFILL 136.7 47.4

CO MAYO

NEWPORT (FURNACE) 131.7 49.1

CO OFFALY

DERRYGREENAGH 103.4 58.4

CO WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 52.3 70.5

CO WEXFORD

JFK PARK 79.3 79.0

GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION

(MJ/m2₎

STATION/COUNTY 1ST-10TH 11TH-20TH 21ST-END TOTAL

P.E.

(PENMAN)

STATION/COUNTY TOTAL (mm)

CO CARLOW

CARLOW (OAK PARK)* CO CAVAN

BALLYHAISE* CO CORK

ROCHE’S POINT* CO DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD*

CO DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT*

CO KERRY

VALENTIA OBS.*

CO MAYO

BELMULLET*

CO TIPPERARY

GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE)* CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR* CO WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE*

111.32 139.30 177.06 427.68

115.01 145.14 168.33 428.48

132.43 178.22 218.22 528.87

104.41 146.07 209.55 460.03

125.94 152.61 174.88 453.43

117.00 202.63 196.03 515.66

126.81 142.19 242.44 511.44

105.08 N/A 171.64 N/A

112.25 134.57 163.38 410.20

133.38 N/A 203.76 N/A

CO CARLOW

CARLOW (OAK PARK)

CO CAVAN

BALLYHAISE

CO CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT

CO CORK

CORK AIRPORT

CO DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD

CO DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT CASEMENT AERODROME

CO KERRY

VALENTIA OBS.

CO MAYO

BELMULLET KNOCK AIRPORT

CO TIPPERARY

GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE) CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR

CO WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 66 64 68 64 63 67 65 68 65 58 67 61 69

GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION VALUES FOR STATIONS MARKED

*

ARE PROVISIONAL

8

DAILY WEATHER

MAY2014

Thursday 1st:Overnight rain cleared with further showery outbreaks of rain persisting in the East and Midlands until early evening, before clearing to the south. Temperatures were generally mild, with western and southern coasts getting the most sunshine. Winds were light to moderate,

southeasterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 12.3 mm at Silvermines (Curreeny) Temperature: Lowest max. 10.2°C at Malin Head, highest max. 19.0°C at Oughterard (Ardnasillagh). Lowest min. 4.5°C at Straide, highest min. 11.1°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: 0.1 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse) to 9.9 hours at Belmullet

Friday 2nd: Dry everywhere overnight. Light rain extended into the Southwest during the morning, spreading slowly through the West during the afternoon, dying out during evening. The rest of the country was dry all day, generally cloudy, with some sunshine in the North and East. Winds were light, southeasterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 17.0 mm at Tralee (Lisaboula)

Temperature: Lowest max. 10.0°C at Cashel (Ballydoyle Hse), highest max. 15.8°C at Belmullet, Ardfert (Liscahane). Lowest min. 4.9°C at Mt Dillon, highest min. 10.8°C at Shannon Apt

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.4 hours at Dublin Apt

Saturday 3rd:Patchy light rain or drizzle from the West crossed the country slowly during of the day, with some eastern parts remaining dry. Generally cloudy, with some sunshine in the North and Southwest. Winds were light, southerly

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 16.5 mm at Ballyvaughan (Ballyconry)

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.5°C at Cork Apt, highest max. 19.3°C at Ardfert (Liscahane). Lowest min. 5.2°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest min. 11.5°C at Belmullet Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.0 hours at Valentia Obs

Sunday 4th:Some rain or showers in places overnight, with fog also. The day was cloudy with showery rain in places, mainly in Midlands and West, with eastern parts remaining mostly dry. It remained cloudy through the evening with showers in places, dying out by late evening. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 41.6 mm at Waterville (Octive No 9)

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.0°C at Johnstown, Clonroche (Knoxtown), highest max. 16.6°C at Dublin (Glasnevin). Lowest min. 7.6°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 12.3°C at Malin Head

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.9 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin)

Monday 5th:Rain in western areas overnight, dry elsewhere. Widespread rain by morning continuing through the afternoon, turning showery in the West. Rain and showers continued in places during evening, but some bright or clear spells developed also. Winds were fresh and gusty, southerly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 20.0 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan)

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.7°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 17.0°C at Casement. Lowest min. 6.3°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 10.8°C at Shannon Apt

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.4 hours at Edenderry (Ballinla)

Tuesday 6th:Some showers overnight with clear spells also. Showers continued in the West during the morning, with the East remaining mostly dry. The showers became widespread during the afternoon, with sunny interludes. The showers continued for the remainder of the day. Winds were moderate to fresh, southwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 29.0 mm at Drummin (Tawnyard)

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.9°C at Cloosh Forest, highest max. 16.3°C at Phoenix Park. Lowest min. 2.4°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 10.3°C at Mace Head Sunshine: 1.1 hours at Straide to 8.4 hours at Edenderry (Ballinla)

Wednesday 7th: Showers in the early morning were followed by a band of rain affecting the northern half of the country. Further widespread showers by early afternoon, turned isolated later on. Rain moved into southern and western areas again as midnight approached. Winds were moderate to strong, southwesterly.

Rainfall: 0.0 mm at Slane (Ardcalf) to 17.8 mm at Kilmihil (Shyan)

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.0°C at Glenties Hatchery, highest max. 17.0°C at Wexford Wildfowl. Lowest min. 5.4°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield), highest min. 9.8°C at Dooks Sunshine: Nil at Straide to 7.2 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse)

Thursday 8th: Heavy showers overnight with thunder in places, turned isolated later on with dry spells. Sunnier and warmer in the South than in the North. Some patchy rain and drizzle and more widespread showers towards evening. Winds were light to strong, southwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 21.2 mm at Cloone Lake (Caragh River) Temperature: Lowest max. 11.1°C at Malin Head, highest max. 20.0°C at Cloyne (Lisanley). Lowest min. 6.8°C at Craggaunowen, highest min. 11.0°C at Killarney (Muckross Hse) Sunshine: 0.3 hours at Newport (Furnace), Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall) to 6.1 hours at JFK Park

Friday 9th: Showers overnight, some of which were heavy and thundery cleared by morning giving isolated showers for the rest of the day. Rain developed in the Southwest before becoming countrywide during the evening leading to heavy downpours. Winds were fresh to strong, westerly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 27.0 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan)

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.8°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 17.2°C at JFK Park. Lowest min. 5.0°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield), highest min. 10.1°C at Valentia Obs

Sunshine: 0.4 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 7.6 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin)

Saturday 10th: Heavy rain in the Northeast cleared early in the night. There were some isolated showers overnight, becoming widespread during the morning and continuing through the day. During the afternoon and evening some of the showers in the eastern half of the country became very heavy. Winds were moderate, south to southeast.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 41.1 mm at Delphi Lodge

Temperature: Lowest max. 10.6°C at Listowel (Gurtocloghane), highest max. 15.7°C at Dun Laoghaire. Lowest min. 6.8°C at Springfield Castle, highest min. 10.7°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: 0.2 hours at Shannon Apt to 6.5 hours at Belmullet

Sunday 11th: Showers continued overnight and through the day, most frequent in the Midlands. The showers became very heavy during the afternoon, but became lighter and less frequent later on. There were prolonged periods of sunshine in both the North and the South. Winds were fresh to strong, northwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 19.2 mm at Mullingar

Temperature: Lowest max. 10.7°C at Cloosh Forest, highest max. 15.8°C at Waterford (Tycor). Lowest min. 4.1°C at Ballymore, highest min. 9.5°C at Ardtarmon

Sunshine: 0.9 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse) to 11.9 hours at Sherkin Island

Monday 12th: Showers with clear spells overnight. Showers throughout the day but with good sunny spells also, some of the showers were heavy and with hail. Showers continued through to the evening and night. Winds were fresh, west to northwest.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 18.3 mm at Cahore (Kilmichael Hse) Temperature: Lowest max. 10.5°C at Fethard (Parsonshill), highest max. 16.0°C at Oughterard (Ardnasillagh). Lowest min. 2.9°C at Athleague, highest min. 8.8°C at Sherkin Island

Sunshine: 3.6 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 11.0 hours at Belmullet

Tuesday 13th: Mainly dry overnight, with just patchy drizzle in places. Showers developed during the morning, some heavy, but good sunny breaks also. Heavy showers again throughout the afternoon and evening with good sunshine in between. Showers died out by late evening. Winds were light, northwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 10.0 mm at Clonaslee Waterworks

Temperature: Lowest max. 13.2°C at Belderrig, highest max. 18.0°C at Cahore (Kilmichael Hse). Lowest min. 2.0°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 10.0°C at Ballycroy-Knockmoyleen

Sunshine: 0.4 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve to 11.2 hours at Shannon Apt

Wednesday 14th: Cloudy and misty overnight with some patchy drizzle in places. These conditions remained for the rest of the day. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 13.1 mm at Gap of Dunloe

Temperature: Lowest max. 12.6°C at Carron, highest max. 18.8°C at Mallow (Spa Hse). Lowest min. 4.4°C at Ardee (Bohernamoe), highest min. 10.6°C at Mace Head 10.6°C at Newport (Furnace)

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 8.6 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Thursday 15th: Mild and cloudy overnight with some patches of rain and drizzle clearing during the morning. It was a warm day with some good spells of sunshine during the afternoon. It continued to be dry into the evening and night. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 11.6 mm at Gap of Dunloe

Temperature: Lowest max. 13.8°C at Roche’s Point, highest max. 21.2°C at Piltown (Kildalton). Lowest min. 6.3°C at Glenealy (Kilmacurragh Park), highest min. 12.0°C at Dublin (Glasnevin)

Sunshine: 1.7 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) to 13.0 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea), Sherkin Island

Friday 16th: Overnight mist and fog cleared to give another dry bright and warm day overall with hazy sunshine. By evening patchy light rain and drizzle affected parts of the Northwest. Winds were moderate, southwesterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 14.6 mm at Dunlewey Lough

Temperature: Lowest max. 13.9°C at Roche’s Point, highest max. 21.5°C at Cavan (Drumconnick). Lowest min. 5.1°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 11.9°C at Dublin Apt

9

DAILY WEATHER

MAY2014

Saturday 17th: A warm, dry day with hazy sunshine for most parts, but cooler in cloudy and misty conditions and some patchy rain and drizzle for most of the West and Northwest. The rain in the West became more persistent and heavy later in the evening with some heavy rain in the west coast area towards nightfall. Winds were light to fresh, southwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 46.6 mm at Maam Valley

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.8°C at Belderrig, highest max. 21.8°C at Dun Laoghaire Lowest min. 3.4°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 12.0°C at Newport (Furnace) Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 11.4 hours at Dublin Apt

Sunday 18th: A band of rain moved slowly southeastwards overnight and through the morning. The rain was heaviest in the West and North, becoming progressively light further to the East and South. It remained wet for most of the remainder of the day. Winds were moderate to fresh, south to southwest.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 19.7 mm at Glenmacnass

Temperature: Lowest max. 11.6°C at Belderrig, highest max. 16.5°C at Dun Laoghaire. Lowest min. 7.1°C at Knock Apt, highest min. 13.4°C at Dublin (Glasnevin), Dublin (Merrion Sq)

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 10.2 hours at Belmullet

Monday 19th:Rain in the East, moved westwards overnight, dying out by early afternoon. Bands of heavy rain spread in from the Irish Sea through the day, the heaviest rain was in east Ulster, in the morning, and later in Munster. Winds were light to moderate, east to northeast.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 36.4 mm at Holycross-Cabragh Wetlands Temperature: Lowest max. 12.1°C at Belderrig, highest max. 19.0°C at Craggaunowen. Lowest min. 2.1°C at Listowel (Gurtocloghane), highest min. 11.1°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: 0.1 hours at numerous locations to 6.7 hours at Valentia Obs

Tuesday 20th: Rain and drizzle in places overnight, with some mist and fog in parts also. Heavy thundery showers through the morning and afternoon, with some bright spells in places. Some showers in west through evening but mainly dry elsewhere. Winds were light, variable in direction. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 49.4 mm at Castleisland (Coom)

Temperature: Lowest max. 13.5°C at Malin Head, highest max. 20.5°C at Oughterard (Ardnasillagh), Springfield Castle. Lowest min. 4.9°C at Ballina GC, highest min. 12.2°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet)

Sunshine: 0.2 hours at Belmullet to 5.7 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Wednesday 21st:Patchy rain in the Southwest overnight, but dry elsewhere with some fog patches. The morning was mainly dry with good sunshine in eastern parts. Some showers continued in the West for the remainder of the day but dry elsewhere with bright spells. Winds were light to moderate, southerly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 24.4 mm at Belderrig

Temperature: Lowest max. 12.2°C at Delphi Lodge, highest max. 18.6°C at Phoenix Park Lowest min. 4.0°C at Clonroche (Knoxtown), highest min. 10.8°C at Belmullet Sunshine: 1.5 hours at Newport (Furnace), Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall) to 14.0 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea), Casement

Thursday 22nd: Overnight showers in the Southwest and West. By afternoon there were outbreaks of rain in the West and scattered showers in the East. A few sunny spells in the East and North. Precipitation continued into the evening and night with some thunder at times. Winds were light to moderate, variable in direction.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 40.2 mm at Delphi Lodge II

Temperature: Lowest max. 9.8°C at Belderrig, highest max. 17.0°C at Cavan (Drumconnick), Castleconnell. Lowest min. 3.6°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 9.0°C at Cahore (Kilmichael Hse)

Sunshine: Nil at Wexford Wildfowl to 5.3 hours at Sherkin Island

Friday 23rd:Outbreaks of rain with heavy falls in the West. This rain moved southwestwards remaining mainly dry and sunny with few showers in the north and northwest. Winds were moderate, northeasterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 52.8 mm at Ballynahinch

Temperature: Lowest max. 10.3°C at Belderrig, highest max. 15.5°C at Cloyne (Lisanley). Lowest min. 5.2°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield), highest min. 10.2°C at Piltown (Kildalton) Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 10.2 hours at Belmullet

Saturday 24th: Widespread rain overnight with heavier rain spreading from the East during the morning. The rain turned showery and more

widespread in the afternoon with some thundery downpours. By the evening further heavy and persistent rain fell in the East and Southeast. Winds were mainly light to moderate, north to northeasterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 15.3 mm at Moneystown

Temperature: Lowest max. 10.4°C at Mount Russell, highest max. 16.5°C at Waterford (Tycor), Cashel (Ballydoyle Hse). Lowest min. 5.8°C at Glenties Hatchery, highest min. 9.9°C at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 6.6 hours at Belmullet

Sunday 25th:Rain in the East moved slowly across the country overnight, becoming patchy in the morning. Showers continued some heavy and thundery, heaviest in the Southeast and Midlands. Fairer weather in the West and Southwest. Winds were light, north to northwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 22.1 mm at New Ross WW, Pollmounty Fish Farm Temperature: Lowest max. 10.9°C at Mount Russell, highest max. 17.0°C at JFK Park. Lowest min. 6.4°C at Claremorris, highest min. 10.9°C at Dublin (Glasnevin)

Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 7.3 hours at Belmullet

Monday 26th: Rain overnight turned showery during the day with thunderstorm activity especially in the northern half and the Midlands. In the evening there was a general clearance from the Southeast, allowing a build-up of fog in places. Winds were light, variable in direction. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 22.3 mm at Illies (Pollan Dam)

Temperature: Lowest max. 12.6°C at Cork Apt, highest max. 19.3°C at Castleconnell Lowest min. 5.7°C at Glenties Hatchery, highest min. 10.8°C at Newport (Furnace) Sunshine: 0.1 hours at Cork Apt to 8.4 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)

Tuesday 27th: Fog and mist patches cleared early on. Most areas were dry with scattered showers and good bright sunny spells. Parts of the Southwest remained cloudy with some patchy rain. A front passed through Ulster during the evening bringing some heavy showers. Winds were light, south to southeast.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 4.7 mm at Riverstown (Glenmore Upper) Temperature: Lowest max. 14.0°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), highest max. 20.6°C at Ardtarmon. Lowest min. 1.7°C at Dublin Apt, highest min. 10.5°C at Newport (Furnace) Sunshine: Nil at Valentia Obs to 14.1 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Wednesday 28th: Dry with clear periods overnight, with some fog in parts of the South. A mostly dry day with long sunny periods, but some isolated showers in parts of the West. The evening and night continued dry but some showers in southern and western parts. Winds were light to moderate, north to northeast.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 5.8 mm at Carrigadrohid

Temperature: Lowest max. 13.9°C at Malin Head, highest max. 23.8°C at Oughterard (Ardnasillagh). Lowest min. 2.0°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 10.3°C at Malin Head Sunshine: 5.6 hours at Wexford Wildfowl to 15.5 hours at Belmullet

Thursday 29th: Mostly cloudy in eastern areas overnight with some patchy rain, but dry and clear elsewhere. Rain and drizzle in the East during the morning, but dry over the rest of country with good sunshine. It became dry everywhere by mid-afternoon, remaining so for the rest of the evening. Winds were light, notheasterly.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 9.1 mm at Glenasmole

Temperature: Lowest max. 12.5°C at Malin Head, highest max. 20.9°C at Ardfert (Liscahane) Lowest min. 5.5°C at Ballycroy-Knockmoyleen, highest min. 11.6°C at Cork Apt Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 15.2 hours at Belmullet

Friday 30th: Overnight mist and fog tended to lift after dawn and by mid-morning it was gone in most places. Cloudiness in the East decreased during the afternoon but parts of the North remained cloudy into the evening. Good sunshine especially in the West and Southwest. Winds were light, variable in direction.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 8.6 mm at Gort-Derrybrien

Temperature: Lowest max. 14.1°C at Dun Laoghaire, highest max. 21.4°C at Oughterard (Ardnasillagh). Lowest min. 4.9°C at Straide, highest min. 11.4°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: 0.2 hours at JFK Park to 14.9 hours at Belmullet

Saturday 31st: General mist and fog in places, especially along the south coast. Fog increased around dawn but burned off quickly to give a sunny day with long periods of sunshine everywhere. Some increased cloudiness along the west coast and the North in the late afternoon and evening. Winds were light, variable in direction.

Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 6.6 mm at Gweedore Weir

Temperature: Lowest max. 14.7°C at Sherkin Island, highest max. 22.0°C at Castleconnell. Lowest min. 3.0°C at Straide, highest min. 12.4°C at Cloyne (Lisanley)

Nearly 60% of all monthly rainfall

totals were above their Long-Term

Average (LTA) with below LTA

values mainly in southern coastal

counties and in parts of the

Midlands and the North.

Percentage of LTA values were half

of normal at Ballineen, Co Cork,

with the month’s lowest percentage

of LTA of 42% and the month’s

lowest rainfall total of 37.5 mm.

The majority of stations in Cork

and Waterford with below LTA

totals had their driest May in 14 to

23 years. Percentage of LTA values

were double or more (above 200%

of LTA) in parts of Roscommon in

Roscommon and Dublin, with

Roscommon (Vocational School)

reporting the month’s highest

percentage of LTA with 210%

(monthly total of 146.0 mm), its

wettest May on record since the

station opened in 1986. The

majority of stations with above

average rainfall reported wetter

conditions in either 2006 or 2013,

with Brittas (Glenaraneen) Co

Dublin reporting the longest series

of observations exceeded with its

wettest May conditions since 1976

(with 155.0 mm and 200% of its

LTA). The month’s highest rainfall

accumulation was at Delphi Lodge,

Co Mayo with 285.7 mm. The

month’s wettest day was on the

23rd at Ballynahinch, Co Wicklow

with 52.8 mm, its wettest May day

in 15 years. Portumna, Co Galway

and Castleisland (Coom), Co Kerry

both reported their wettest days on

the 20th, with 31.1 mm and

49.4 mm, respectively, both their

wettest May days on record with

station records lengths of more

than 70 years.

The number of wet days

(days with

1 mm or more rainfall)

ranged from

eight at both Tullaroan

(Ballybeagh), Co Kilkenny and

Cahore (Kilmichael Hse), Co

Wexford to 28 days at Gort

(Derrybrien), Co Galway.

10

RAINFALL

CO CARLOW

CARLOW (OAK PARK)

CO CAVAN

BALLYHAISE

CO CLARE

CARRON

SHANNON AIRPORT

CO CORK

BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) CORK AIRPORT

FERMOY (MOORE PARK)

ROCHE’S POINT SHERKIN ISLAND

CO DONEGAL

BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) GLENTIES HATCHERY

MALIN HEAD

CO DUBLIN

CASEMENT AERODROME DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) DUBLIN AIRPORT

DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)

CO GALWAY

MAAM VALLEY

CO KERRY

ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

CO KILKENNY

THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)

CO LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL

CO MAYO

BELMULLET

DELPHI LODGE KNOCK AIRPORT

STRAIDE

CO MEATH

WARRENSTOWN

CO MONAGHAN

CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE)

CO OFFALY

DERRYGREENAGH

CO ROSCOMMON

MOUNTDILLON

CO SLIGO

ARDTARMON

CO TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)

GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE)

CO WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)

WATERFORD (TYCOR)

CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR

CO WEXFORD

CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

CO WICKLOW

ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)

OVER HALF MONTHLY RAINFALL

TOTALS ABOVE LTA

MAY2014

TOTAL % OF NUMBER OF

AMOUNT 1981-2010 MOST IN RAINDAYS WETDAYS

(mm) AVERAGE A DAY/ DATE (>0.2mm) (>1mm)

COUNTY

/

STATION

77.1 129 16.7 18 19 16

98.0 145 12.9 10 23 18

126.9 133 19.6 10 22 21 88.0 136 18.4 19 18 15

66.9 74 9.0 22 20 17 66.8 81 10.8 24 20 16 69.5 100 10.3 19 20 16 38.2 61 5.7 9 17 14 58.3 79 8.2 2,20 18 15

116.4 159 21.6 17 24 18 122.1 140 21.2 17 21 16 85.5 146 17.8 17 20 15

97.0 164 22.9 10 18 16 83.4 143 14.4 23 21 17 88.5 149 16.8 23 20 16 71.8 117 11.8 23 18 17

196.8 131 46.6 17 22 20

103.5 146 32.8 20 17 15 114.1 122 24.6 20 20 16

74.3 114 14.7 22 16 13

126.7 140 23.0 20 26 21

103.6 147 21.7 17 22 20 285.7 41.1 10 23 20 131.9 143 25.1 17 23 19 98.1 125 20.4 17 22 16

77.2 120 11.1 18 22 16

64.4 98 10.3 18 22 16

103.4 167 21.5 10 18 16

109.3 155 16.3 11 21 17

92.7 135 19.2* 17 22* 17*

102.0 150 33.7 19 19 15 88.3 130 9.4 10 21 19

52.3 64 9.0 24 17 12 63.4 93 11.8 19 15 13

121.7 176 19.2 11 24 21

78.9 14.4 18 19 15 62.1 92 11.2 23 17 14

11

RAINFALL

MAY2014

PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL RAINFALL

(1981-2010

NORMALS

)

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY DUBLIN AIRPORT BELMULLET

DAILY

0901-0900hr

RAINFALL VALUES

(mm)

TOTAL RAINFALL

(mm)

0 - 100 mm 100 - 200 mm 200 - 300mm 300 - 400 mm

12

TEMPERATURE

All monthly mean air temperatures were near or above

their Long-Term Average (LTA). A few isolated

stations in Cork at Sherkin Island (mean temperature

of 11.6°C) and Glengariff (mean temperature of

11.9°C) reported slightly below LTA values with

-0.1°C. Differences above LTA were up to 1.3°C at

Derrygreenagh, Co Offaly (mean temperature of

12.0°C) , Dublin (Phoenix Park), (mean temperature

of 12.3°C) and at Cavan (Drumconnick), (mean

temperature of 12.4°C). Monthly mean temperatures

ranged from 10.6°C at Knock Airport, Co Mayo

(0.4°C above its LTA) to 12.9°C at both Waterford

(Tycor), (1.2°C above its LTA) and Dublin

(Glasnevin), (1.1°C above its LTA). Nearly half of

stations reported it was their warmest May since 2008,

with Ashford (Cronkeery), Co Wicklow reporting its

warmest May since the station opened in 2003.

Highest air maxima were mainly recorded between the

28th and 31st with the month’s highest temperature

reported at Oughterard (Ardnasillagh), Co Galway on

the 28th with 23.8°C. Lowest air and grass minima

were recorded at various times with both the month’s

lowest air minimum and lowest grass minimum both

recorded on the 27th in the East. Dublin Airport

reported the lowest air minimum of 1.7°C while

Ashford (Cronkeery), Co Wicklow reported the lowest

grass minimum of -2.3°C. Around a quarter of lowest

minima reported were the highest for May in a

number of years, with Dublin (Glasnevin) reporting a

lowest minimum of 6.1°C, its highest for May since

the station opened in 1961. Ground frost was

reported on the 6th, 12th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 22nd,

27th, 28th and 31st, all in parts of the East, Midlands,

South and West. There was no air frost in May.

MAY2014

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

DUBLIN AIRPORT

BELMULLET

MEAN TEMPERATURE

(°C)

(

DIFFERENCE FROM

1981-2010 LTA

S

)

TEMPERA

TURE

(°C)

HOURLY TEMPERATURES MAY

2014

DAY OF MONTH

-0.5 to 0.0°C 0.0 to 0.5°C 0.5 to 1.0°C 1.0 to 1.5°C

MEAN AIR TEMPERATURES ABOVE AVERAGE

13

TEMPERATURE

15.8 8.3 12.0 0.5 20.9 31 5.2 6 -0.4 12 0 1

15.1 8.3 11.7 0.8 19.2 31 4.9 28 2.1 13 0 0

14.4 8.0 11.2 0.5 19.8 28 4.6 12 -1.5 12 0 2 15.6 8.9 12.2 0.1 22.3 28 6.3 19,28 1.5 17,28 0 0

15.8 7.3 11.6 0.9 22.4 28 4.0 12 3.8 12 0 0 14.4 7.9 11.2 0.3 18.7 28 4.7 12 -1.0 17 0 2 15.6 8.3 11.9 0.8 20.2 28 4.2 17 1.9 6 0 0 14.3 9.1 11.7 0.2 17.7 8 6.4 11 3.3 16 0 0 13.9 9.2 11.6 -0.1 16.8 29 7.5 17 5.0 17 0 0

15.1 8.7 11.9 0.8 19.3 27 6.9 9 0 15.5 7.9 11.7 1.0 20.5 28 4.1 19 1.8 23 0 0 13.5 8.8 11.1 0.6 16.4 31 6.9 2,9 1.3 31 0 0

15.4 8.3 11.8 0.9 20.2 31 3.3 27 -0.1 27 0 1 15.4 9.5 12.4 0.3 20.9 31 7.0 13 0 15.3 7.9 11.6 0.7 20.3 31 1.7 27 -1.0 27 0 2 16.0 8.5 12.3 1.3 21.2 31 4.6 27 0.0 6 0 0

15.1 8.4 11.8 0.4 19.7 28 2.9 19 1.3 19 0 0

15.6 8.2 11.9 0.4 20.9 29 3.1 19 3.0 19 0 0 14.0 9.0 11.5 -0.1 17.6 30 3.3 19 0.2 19 0 0

16.2 7.4 11.8 0.5 21.5 31 2.0 13 -0.6 17 0 4

14.9 7.7 11.3 0.5 20.5 28,31 5.5 13 3.3 31 0 0

14.3 9.0 11.7 0.5 19.1 28 3.1 19 0.9 19 0 0 14.6 8.6 11.6 0.1 19.5 28,29 3.5 19 -1.8 19 0 1 13.8 7.5 10.6 0.4 19.1 28 4.0 12 1.7 12 0 0 15.6 7.5 11.6 0.7 22.3 28 3.0 31 -1.8 19 0 4

16.0 8.4 12.2 1.2 20.7 31 4.6 27 1.7 27 0 0

15.8 8.2 12.0 1.1 20.0 28,31 5.0 14 1.1 14 0 0

15.8 8.2 12.0 1.3 20.7 31 4.2 6 0.1 6 0 0

15.6 8.0 11.8 0.8 20.6 28 4.8 28 -0.1 28 0 1

15.8 9.3 12.6 1.2 20.6 27 6.3 19 2.1 19 0 0

15.2 7.8 11.5 0.7 20.4 31 5.1 13 5.1 13 0 0 15.2 7.9 11.6 0.5 20.4 28 4.6 28 0.4 28 0 0

16.1 8.2 12.2 0.7 20.4 31 3.9 28 0.1 28 0 0 16.6 9.3 12.9 1.2 19.9 28,31 6.4 13 0

15.2 7.7 11.4 0.7 19.7 28 4.4 12 -0.1 6 0 1

15.4 7.6 11.5 0.9 20.1 31 3.0 12,27 -0.5 12 0 1 14.7 8.6 11.6 0.5 18.0 31 4.9 12 1.0 12 0 0

15.8 8.7 12.2 1.1 20.4 16 3.9 27 -2.3 27 0 5 DIFFERENCE

FROM

MEAN MEAN 1981-2010 HIGHEST LOWEST LOWEST DAYS WITH FROST

MAX. MIN. MEAN AVERAGE MAX./DATE MIN./DATE GRASS MIN./DATE AIR GROUND COUNTY

/

STATION

MAY2014

CO CARLOW

CARLOW (OAK PARK)

CO CAVAN

BALLYHAISE

CO CLARE

CARRON

SHANNON AIRPORT

CO CORK

BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) CORK AIRPORT

FERMOY (MOORE PARK)

ROCHE’S POINT SHERKIN ISLAND

CO DONEGAL

BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) GLENTIES HATCHERY

MALIN HEAD

CO DUBLIN

CASEMENT AERODROME DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) DUBLIN AIRPORT

DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)

CO GALWAY

MAAM VALLEY

CO KERRY

ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

CO KILKENNY

THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)

CO LIMERICK

MOUNTRUSSELL

CO MAYO

BELMULLET

DELPHI LODGE KNOCK AIRPORT

STRAIDE

CO MEATH

WARRENSTOWN

CO MONAGHAN

CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE)

CO OFFALY

DERRYGREENAGH

CO ROSCOMMON

MOUNTDILLON

CO SLIGO

ARDTARMON

CO TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)

GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE)

CO WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)

WATERFORD (TYCOR)

CO WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR

CO WEXFORD

CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

CO WICKLOW

ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)

14

SUNSHINE

CO CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT

CO CORK

BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)

CORK AIRPORT

SHERKIN ISLAND

CO DONEGAL

BALLYSHANNON (CATHLEEN'S FALL)

CO DUBLIN

CASEMENT AERODROME DUBLIN (GLASNEVIN)

DUBLIN AIRPORT

CO KERRY

ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

CO MAYO

BELMULLET KNOCK AIRPORT

NEWPORT (FURNACE) STRAIDE

CO WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)

CO WEXFORD

CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) JFK PARK

WEXFORD WILDFOWL RESERVE

CO WICKLOW

ARKLOW (BALLYRICHARD HSE.) ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)

4.09 70 7 12.0 28

4.78 77 7 13.6 21 4.85 78 8 13.4 21 5.45 82 5 14.7 28

3.34 57 9 11.7 27

3.70 61 7 14.0 21 3.77 63 9 12.3 27 4.72 75 5 13.8 27

4.14 70 6 13.1 28 5.28 89 4 15.3 28

5.58 91 6 15.5 28 3.27 58 8 11.8 28 3.07 56 8 9.7 28 3.31 57 7 12.5 28

5.38 88 7 14.0 21

4.19 70 6 13.5 21 4.37 75 7 12.0 21 4.10 68 8 14.1 27

3.98 6 11.6 27 4.02 64 7 13.5 21

BELOW AVERAGE SUNSHINE

EVERYWHERE

;

LOWEST IN PARTS OF

THE WEST AND NORTHWEST

Sunshine totals were below Long-Term

Average (LTA) everywhere, with lowest

sunshine totals recorded in parts of the West

and Northwest. Percentage of LTA values

and monthly sunshine totals were lowest at

Newport (Furnace), Co Mayo with 56% of

LTA and 95.1 hours of sunshine (daily mean

of 3.07 hr/day), its lowest May sunshine total

since the station opened in 1965. The

month’s highest percentage of LTA value

and highest monthly sunshine total was

recorded at Belmullet with 91% and 173.0

hours (daily mean of 5.58 hr/day). The

station also reported the month’s sunniest

day on the 28th with 15.5 hours, equalling its

sunniest May day since 1966.

Global radiation values were all below

average, with percentage of LTAs ranging

from 84% at Malin Head to 96% at Valentia.

% OF DULL MOST IN

DAILY MEAN 1981-2010 DAYS A

(HOURS/DAY) LTA (<0.5 HRS) DAY/DATE

COUNTY

/

STATION

DAILY SUNSHINE VALUES

(

HOURS

)

₍

_{PERCENTAGE OF}

TOTAL SUNSHINE

_1981-2010

_NORMALS

₎

MAY2014

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY DUBLIN AIRPORT BELMULLET

50 - 75% 75 - 100%

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

Monthly mean sea level pressure values ranged

from just above 1013 hPa in the North to just

over 1015 hPa in the Southwest. The month’s

lowest pressure value of 990.4 hPa was recorded

at Belmullet on the 10th at 0800 UTC as a

depression of 990 hPa was located over the

northwest coast before moving across northern

counties and into the Irish Sea. The month’s

highest pressure value of 1036.9 hPa was

recorded at Sherkin Island on the 15th at 1100

UTC as a high pressure system of

1037 hPa was situated over the British Isles.

MAY2014

MARINE OBSERVATIONS FROM IRISH MARINE DATA BUOY NETWORK

MONTHLY MEANMSL PRESSURE, BASED ON1200 UTC VALUES

MEAN MAX

SEA MEAN MAX SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT

BUOY SURFACE WIND 10-MIN WAVE WAVE

TEMP. SPEED WIND HEIGHT HEIGHT (°C) (knots) (knots) (m) (m)

M2 ---not available---

M3 12.0 12.9 33.6 2.3

7.3

M4 11.5 13.5 29.9 2.3

4.7

M5 12.0 ----not available----

M6 11.0 15.8 33.0 2.5

5.4

MALIN 11.1

HEAD

M6

t

M5

l

MALIN HEAD

M4

_t

t

M2

M3

_t

15

SUMMARY OF MEAN MONTHLY VALUES

HOURLY MEAN SEA LEVEL PRESSURE MAY

2014

PRESSURE

(hP

a)

METRES

°C

KNO

TS

DEGREES FROM NOR

TH WIND DIRECTION

M4

WIND SPEED

SEA TEMPERATURE

WAVE HEIGHT

MALIN HEAD VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

DAY OF MONTH