Monthly Weather Bulletin October 2004

Summary:

Apart from some settled

weather around the middle of the

month, conditions during most of

October were very disturbed, as areas

of low pressure close to the country

gave spells of heavy rain and strong

winds. Late in the month, one of

these depressions off the south coast

brought gales and persistent rain

across Munster and Leinster; in

combination with a strong tidal

surge, this resulted in severe flooding

in some southern and southeastern

areas- see page 2. Rainfall totals for

the month were above normal

everywhere except in the extreme

north. Well over twice the normal

rainfall for October was measured at

Casement Aerodrome, where the total

of 177mm was only slightly lower

than its wettest October of 2002.

Heavy falls were widely recorded in

the periods 1st to 4th, 20th to 22nd

and 27th to 29th. There were also

more wetdays than normal during the

month (days with 1mm or more of

rainfall); these ranged in number

between 14 in the southeast and 23 in

the southwest. Mean monthly air

temperatures were below normal

everywhere and it was the coldest

Monthlyy Weather

Bulletin

N

No

o.. 2

22

22

2

OCTOBER 2004

INSIDE

INSIDE

on 27th/28th- on 27th/28th- page 2page 2

Wind &

Wind &

Elements ...

Elements ...

4

4

Marine &

Marine &

Pr

Pr

essur

essur

e ...

e ...

5

5

Agmet /La

Agmet /La

b

b

...

...

6

6

Diary ...

Diary ...

8

8

R

R

ainf

ainf

all ...

all ...

10

10

T

T

emper

emper

a

a

tur

tur

e ...

e ...

12

12

Sunshine ...

Sunshine ...

14

14

W

W

or

or

ld

ld

W

W

ea

ea

ther

ther

..

..

15

15

F

F

ea

ea

tur

tur

e ...

e ...

16

16

trends trends

Produced by Met Éireann, Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9. Annual subscription 80 For more information-tel: +353-1-8064260 fax: +353-1-8064216 [email protected] www.met.ie/climate Notes on the tables and map showing location of stations appear in each January issue

W

ET BUT SUNNY

;

C

OOLEST

O

CTOBER SINCE

1993

A storm centred off the south coast late in the month brought considerable coastal flooding on the 27th- shown here in Cork city, while associated heavy rainfall brought more flooding inland over subsequent days. See page 2 for details. (picture courtesy Irish Examiner)

2

WEATHER

Flooding follows major storm on 27th/28th

953hPa moved close to the south coast on the 27th, becoming almost stationary while filling slowly over

subsequent days. A tidal surge, in combination with very high tides and southeasterly gales, led to considerable coastal flooding along southern and southeastern coasts. Cork was particularly badly affected and many properties close to the city centre were inundated; river levels on the Lee near Cork reached their highest values since 1962. Significant coastal erosion was caused, particularly in Counties Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. During the morning of the 27th, a tornado lifted a helicopter ten feet off the deck of the Kinsale

Bravo gas platform (bottom right). Bands of frontal rainfall

associated with the depression produced over 50mm across much of Munster and south Leinster in the period 27th/28th, with over 100mm recorded in places, leading to significant flooding along the rivers Suir and Blackwater in particular.

pictures courtesy: Irish Examiner (right), Maurice McCarthy (bottom right)

Synoptic chart at 0600UTC on 27th

Synoptic chart at 0600UTC on 28th

2-dday rainfall totals (mm) 09UTC 27th to 09UTC 29th 0 20 40 60 80 100

Saatelliite iimaage aat 11133UUTTC on 27th

Saatelliite iimaage aat 11133UUTTC on 27th

c

coouurrtteessyy WWookkiinngghhaamm wweebb ppaaggee,, c

coouurrtteessyy WWookkiinngghhaamm wweebb ppaaggee,, w

wwwww..bbttiinntteerrnneett..ccoomm//~~wwookkiinngghhaamm..wweeaatthheerr//wwwwpp w

October generally since 1993; it was

also the third successive October that

was cooler than normal. Clear skies

contributed to some low minimum

temperatures at times during the

month, especially on the 19th and 20th

when ground frost became widespread

and sharp in inland areas; Mullingar's

ground temperature of

-7.6°C on the 20th was the lowest such

value for October since records began

there in 1950. Despite the fact that it

was a very wet month generally,

sunshine totals were above normal

except in the Dublin area and it was

the sunniest October at both Mullingar

and Clones for over 50 years. The

sunniest days at most stations were in

the period 4th to 9th.

1st to 7th: Deep Atlantic depressions

moved close to the west coast, bringing

bands of rain or showers across many

areas, some of which were thundery. Mild

southwesterly winds with gale gusts in

coastal areas.

8th to 12th: An area of high pressure

drifted north of Ireland, giving mostly dry

conditions. Sunny at first, but becoming

cloudy as winds strengthened from an

easterly direction.

13th to 14th: A depression over the

country brought rain to all areas, heaviest

in the south, later clearing to showers.

15th to 18th: Low pressure centred to the

east of Ireland directed a cold and

showery northerly airstream across the

country. Frost developed under clear skies

as winds fell light on the 17th and 18th.

19th to 29th: A spell of very disturbed

weather, apart from relatively quieter

conditions on the 25th/26th. Up to 60mm

of rain fell in some eastern and southern

areas between the 20th and 22nd, while

over 40mm was measured more widely in

the same region between the 27th and

29th. A depression of central pressure

below 960hPa close to the south coast on

the 27th/28th led to severe flooding as

high tides were driven onshore by

southeasterly gales.

30th to 31st: Pressure rose over the

country as an anticyclone developed. Dry,

cool and calm weather became established

with widespread mist and fog patches.

Wind and elements: Mean windspeeds

for the month were between 7 and 12

knots (8 and 14m.p.h.) at most stations and

between 14 and 16 knots (16 and 18m.p.h.)

at coastal stations of the north and

northwest; they were above normal for

October in most places. The strongest

winds were recorded on the 27th at most

stations, with the highest gust, 55 knots

(63m.p.h.), measured at Cork Airport.

There was frequent thunderstorm activity

during the month; it was recorded in the

periods 1st to 2nd, 4th to 8th and 19th to

21st, and on the 16th, 28th and 30th. Hail

was observed on the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 14th

and 19th. Fog was widespread on the 12th,

22nd, 26th and 30th/31st.

3

WEATHER

Visible satellite image at 1200UTC on 1st October 2004

Above

4

WIND & ELEMENTS

F

REQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 9.2 230° 35 21/13 230° 47 21/1235 1 8 26 0 0 3 0 4

CO. CORK

CORK AIRPORT 10.9 100° 36 27/12 100° 55 27/1107 1 7 49 0 0 0 1 6

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 15.3 100° 41 27/22 100° 54 27/2123 4 13 109 0 0 0 0 0

CO. DUBLIN

CASEMENT AERODROME 9.6 110° 29 27/21 110° 42 27/2157 0 6 20 0 0 0 0 6

DUBLIN AIRPORT 11.7 100° 34 27/23 250° 46 5/0941 1 10 49 0 0 0 0 0

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 9.2 230° 29 21/11 80° 49 27/0954 0 5 38 0 0 0 0 2

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 7.3 220° 24 21/14 100° 38 27/1720 0 2 10 n/a 0 n/a

----CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 11.3 250° 29 1/21 250° 52 1/2026 0 10 85 0 0 4 1 0

CONNACHT AIRPORT 8.6 290° 24 5/16 280° 39 5/1458 0 4 16 0 0 1 0 11

070° 24 27/24 070° 39 27/1840

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 7.4 090° 21 27/22 210° 32 4/1501 0 0 0 n/a 0 n/a

----090° 32 27/2046

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 7.0 230° 23 21/14 220° 37 21/1352 0 2 4 n/a 0 n/a

----CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 6.7 220° 23 21/15 220° 38 21/1348 0 1 3 n/a 0 n/a

----CO. WEXFORD

ROSSLARE 12.2 130° 30 27/14 130° 53 27/1327 0 14 130 0 0 0 2 0

W

IND

((

KNOTS

))

E

LE

EME

ENTS

County /

Station

Valentia Observatory

Dublin Airport

N

NE

NW

NW

SW

SW

W

_W

SE

SE

NE

N

E

S

E

S

Calm: 0.1%

_{Calm: 0.0%}

0 1 2 3 4%

October 2004

Mean Max. 10-min. mean Max. Gust Days with Hours with

5

MARINE & PRESSURE

HHoouurrllyy w

wiinndd aanndd w

waavvee ccoonnddiittiioonnss aatt M

M11 ((5533°°0077’’NN,, 1111°°1122’’W

W))

Wind Direction

Wind Speed

Sea Temperature

Wave Height

dd

ee

gg

rree

ee

ss

ffrr

oo

mm

nn

oo

rrtt

hh

kknn

oo

ttss

°°CC

360

300

200

100

0

15

14

13

12

11

10 40

30

20

10

0

1 5 10 15 DATE 20 25 31

M

E

EA

AN

N

A

T

TM

MO

OS

SP

PH

HE

ER

RIIC

C

P

R

RE

ES

SS

SU

UR

RE

E

Mean sea level pressure values for the month were

almost uniform over the country, ranging between

1003hPa and 1004hPa almost everywhere, around

10hPa lower than normal for October. Exceptionally

low pressure values were recorded on the 27th/28th as

a storm depression lay off the south coast. The lowest

pressure of the month, 957.5hPa, was measured at

Valentia Observatory on the 28th, its lowest ever

October pressure value. The highest value, 1026.6hPa,

was recorded at Dublin Airport on the 31st.

M

Meeaann ddaaiillyy M

Meeaann SSeeaa LLeevveell pprreessssuurree

mm

ee

ttrr

ee

ss

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

960 970 980 990 1000 1010 1020 1030

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

40˚N 50˚N 60˚N 70˚N

H

H

1018

L

1003

1008

1008 1016

1016

1016

1016

1016

--

•

•

M

ARINE

O

BSERVATIONS FROM

I

RISH

M

ARINE

D

ATA

B

UOY

N

ETWORK

Monthly mean MSL pressure, based on 1200 UTC values

SSuum

mm

maarryy ooff M

Meeaann M

Moonntthhllyy VVaalluueess

Sea Mean Max. Mean Max. Buoy surface wind 10-min wave wave

temp. speed wind height height (°C) (knots) (knots) (m.) (m.)

M1 13.0 16.4 32 3.2 8.9

M2 14.1 17.6 37 1.6 4.2

M3 12.9 17.7 37 3.3 8.2

M4 13.2 15.6 30 2.0 5.2

Malin 13.1 (0.5°C above normal)

Head



M1

z

Malin Head

M4

_



M2

M3

_

note: 14 hours data missing for 6th note: 14 hours data missing for 6th note: 14 hours data missing for 6th note: 14 hours data

6

AGMET / LABORATORY

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 9.1 9.8 10.5 CARRON 9.9 11.4

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 10.4 10.8 11.3 CORK AIRPORT 8.5 9.7 10.6 SHERKIN ISLAND 11.4 12.3 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 8.3 9.5 10.7

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 9.2 10.2 11.9

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT 9.2 9.7 10.5 CASEMENT AERODROME 8.6 9.6 10.7

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 9.5 10.4 12.1

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 9.0 10.1 11.4

CO. LEITRIM

BALLINAMORE 9.8 10.4 10.9

CO. LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL 8.3 9.3

CO. LOUTH

ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE) 8.8 9.8 10.1

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 9.4 10.7 11.8 STRAIDE 9.2 CONNACHT AIRPORT 6.8 8.3 9.5

CO. MEATH

WARRENSTOWN 8.5 9.8 10.8

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 9.0 9.7 10.1

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 8.3 9.7 11.3

CO. TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 9.1 10.2

CO. WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 10.8 11.8

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 8.8 10.0 11.5

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 10.0 10.9 11.1 ROSSLARE 10.1 10.6 12.6 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 9.2 10.7 12.5 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 8.8 10.0 11.1

100mm 200mm 300mm

County/ Station

Soil Temperatures at 0900UTC

Mean 100mm

Soil Temperatures (°C)

at 0900UTC

(difference from 1961-90 normals in brackets)

°C

Soil Moisture Deficits (mm)

10th of month / 31st of month

(0 represents field capacity, -10 saturation)

9.2

(-0.3)

6.8

9.0

(-0.4)

9.1

(-1.3)

9.5

(-1.2)

9.0

(-0.4)

10.1

(-0.6)

8.3

(-1.2)

8.5

(-1.6)

8.8

(-0.3)

8.6

(-0.7)

2/1

1/-2

1/0

2/0

3/-3

_5/-3

3/-4

3/-3

5/-3

2/-2

4/-3

3/-3

9.4

(-1.0)

NO2-N

  

SO2-S

„ „ „

SO4-S

z z z (μgs/m3₎

electrical conductivity

(

μ

S/cm)

Chemical Analysis of Precipitation and Air Samples

at Valentia Observatory

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

0 50 100 150 200 250 3 4 5 6 7 8 PRECIPITATION AIR

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.

Sulphur dioxide and sulphate in air contribute to the formation of sulphuric acid; nitrate in air contributes to the formation of nitric acid.

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

pH

October 2004

pH and electrical conductivity are not available on dry days (<0.2mm)

7

AGMET

Co. Cork 1-10 26.3 - 7 5 14.2 6.5 10.4 - 3.3 7 0 60 15 -2.0 7 4 11.6 12.8 56.7 - 0.9 - Fermoy 11-20 37.0 - 7 4 11.8 4.5 8.2 - 0.0 20 0 40 5 -3.6 20 4 9.7 10.9 31.4 - n/a - 21-end 107.1 - 7 7 12.5 6.0 9.3 - -0.8 21 1 56 8 -4.7 21 2 9.9 10.3 15.6 - n/a -

month 170.4 170 21 16 12.8 5.7 9.3 -1.2 -0.8 21 1 156 28 -4.7 21 10 10.4 11.3 103.7 129 n/a

Co. Donegal 1-10 92.3 - 7 7 13.1 6.4 9.8 - 0.4 9 0 55 10 0.2 9 0 - - - - - - Glenties 11-20 80.2 - 7 7 10.9 4.2 7.6 - -0.1 20 1 34 4 -0.9 20 1 - - - - - - 21-end 37.2 - 8 6 12.0 5.5 8.8 - 1.1 21 0 50 7 0.1 23 0 - - - - - -

month 209.7 117 22 20 12.0 5.4 8.7 -1.4 -0.1 20 1 139 21 -0.9 20 1 - - - - - -

Co. Kerry 1-10 59.6 - 7 7 13.9 6.9 10.4 - 2.9 8 0 60 13 -0.1 8 1 - - 57.5 - - - Ardfert 11-20 49.2 - 7 6 12.1 4.9 8.5 - -0.3 20 1 43 6 -4.5 20 2 - - 33.9 - - - 21-end 85.3 - 10 8 12.4 6.4 9.4 - 0.5 21 0 56 8 -3.0 21 1 - - 21.8 - - -

month 194.1 - 24 21 12.8 6.1 9.5 - -0.3 20 1 159 28 -4.5 20 4 - - 113.2 - -

Co. Leitrim 1-10 73.3 - 8 7 12.7 6.3 9.5 - 3.4 9 0 51 8 -2.8 9 3 11.3 12.4 48.0 - - - Ballinamore 11-20 26.9 - 9 4 11.2 3.3 7.3 - -3.8 20 1 34 4 -9.0 20 8 9.5 10.8 37.8 - - - 21-end 47.4 - 9 6 12.1 4.1 8.1 - -0.5 21 1 45 7 -5.1 26 7 8.8 9.6 19.1 - - -

month 147.6 121 26 17 12.0 4.5 8.3 1.4 3.8 20 2 131 19 9.0 20 18 9.8 10.9 104.9 136

-Co. Louth 1-10 23.6 - 7 4 14.6 6.8 10.7 - 0.8 9 0 64 17 0.6 9 0 9.7 11.6 - - - - Ardee 11-20 35.5 - 9 6 12.1 4.7 8.4 - -1.9 20 1 43 7 -2.8 20 1 8.5 9.7 - - - - 21-end 54.2 - 9 6 12.9 5.7 9.3 - 2.1 21 0 55 10 1.1 21 0 8.3 9.0 - - - -

month 113.3 140 25 16 13.2 5.7 9.5 -0.5 -1.9 20 1 162 34 -2.8 20 1 8.8 10.1 - - - -

Co. Waterford 1-10 29.7 - 6 5 15.4 7.4 11.4 - 3.2 7 0 70 21 2.2 7 0 - 13.3 60.0 - 1.8 - Dungarvan 11-20 37.8 - 7 4 13.0 5.8 9.4 - 2.5 18 0 50 9 1.6 18 0 - 11.4 43.9 - 1.1 - 21-end 103.9 - 9 9 13.5 6.1 9.8 - 1.2 21 0 60 12 0.0 21 0 - 10.8 19.0 - 2.6 -

month 171.4 - 22 18 13.9 6.4 10.2 -0.7 1.2 21 0 181 42 0.0 21 0 - 11.8 122.9 1.9 16

Co. Wexford 1-10 24.6 - 6 3 14.1 8.3 11.2 - 4.9 7 0 68 17 n/a 11.3 12.4 - - n/a - Johnstown Castle 11-20 44.5 - 9 6 12.6 6.3 9.5 - 2.5 15 0 51 9 n/a 9.1 10.5 - - n/a - 21-end 103.2 - 8 8 13.2 7.7 10.5 - 2.3 21 0 67 13 n/a 9.5 10.4 - - n/a -

month 172.3 160 23 17 13.3 7.4 10.4 -0.4 2.3 21 0 186 39 n/a 10.0 11.1 - - n/a

amount % of average rain days wet days mean max. mean min. mean daily diff. from average lowest min. date days with air frost degree days > 4.4°C degree days > 10.0°C lowest "grass-min." date days with ground frost mean 10cm at 0900h mean 30cm at 0900h total no. of hours % of average mean wind speed

(m/s) 2m a.g.l.

P.E. (Penman) (mm)

S

Stta

attiio

on

n

period

R

T

M

M

P

P

E

E

((P

P..E

E..))

ANNDD

S

S

M

M

County/ P.E. (mm) Soil Moisture (mm)

Station Period Amount Deficit Accumulated Surplus Deficit

G

G

S

S

R

R

P

P..E

E..

(MJ/sq. m.) (Penman)

County/ 10-day totals total for total for Station 1-10 11-20 21-end month month(mm)

S

J

10-

A

S

Co. Dublin

1-10

Kinsealy 11-20

21-end month

Co. Kerry

1-10 Valentia Obs. 11-20

21-end month

Co. Leitrim

1-10 Ballinamore 11-20

21-end month

Co. Wexford

1-10 Johnstown Castle 11-20 21-end month

10.3 - 0 6 9.9 - 0 24 3.8 - 0 66 24.0

6.0 - 0 49 16.5 - 0 36 7.2 - 0 106 29.7

13.7 - 0 60 11.8 - 0 15 6.5 - 0 41 32.0

not available

Co.Donegal

Malin Head

Co.Dublin

Dublin Airport

Co.Kerry

Valentia Obs.

Co.Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Co.Mayo

Belmullet

Co.Monaghan

Clones

Co.Offaly

Birr

74.74 40.85 45.84 161.43 29

77.85 59.11 43.54 180.50 24

88.21 65.41 41.95 195.57 28

83.67 61.46 42.60 187.73 21

79.61 49.58 39.50 168.69 24

77.23 57.96 46.82 182.01 16

81.09 59.19 41.57 181.85 17

Friday 1st: Rain and showers in the west during the night, quickly

spreading to all areas during the day. The showers were heavy at times and thundery in places, becoming more scattered during the evening but remaining thundery. A few sunny spells also. Temperatures were near normal. Winds were south to southwesterly, fresh to strong, up to gale force at times with stronger gusts in showers.

Rainfall: 1 to 11mm, heaviest at Valentia, 1mm at Clones Temperature: max. 14°C to 17°C, min. 8°C to 11°C, no ground frost Sunshine: <2 to 5 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, <2 hours at Belmullet

Saturday 2nd: Scattered heavy showers overnight, most frequent in the

west and north. Widespread showers everywhere during the morning and early afternoon, some heavy and with hail or thunder, generally dying out by late afternoon. Sunny spells also between showers. Winds were moderate to fresh southwesterly, stronger in the north, but decreasing later.

Rainfall: 2 to 15mm, heaviest at Shannon Airport, 2mm at Dublin Airport

Temperature: max. 12°C to 16°C, min. 6°C to 10°C, ground temperatures just below zero at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 4 to 8 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, 2 hours at Malin Head

Sunday 3rd:Overnight rain in the southwest spread to all parts during the morning with the exception of the extreme northwest. The rain cleared from the west during the late afternoon. A second pulse of rain reached the southwest by early evening and soon spread up over the country. Dull generally with the exception of the northwest. Southeast to southwesterly winds, initially light to moderate, increasing in strength during the evening.

Rainfall: 2 to 24mm heaviest at Valentia, 2mm at Casement Aerodrome Temperature: max. 10°C to 16°C, min. 5°C to 11°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil generally, 4 hours at Belmullet, 2 hours at Malin Head

Monday 4th:Heavy rain moved eastwards across the country during the night, eventually clearing the east coast by early morning. Showers reached the west coast by noon and spread gradually eastwards giving some heavy falls, particularly in the north midlands. Long sunny spells in most places. Winds were south to southwesterly, light to moderate at first, increasing later. Rainfall: 3 to 16mm, heaviest at Clones, 3mm at Shannon Airport

Temperature: max. 12°C to 16°C, min. 4°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 5 to 9 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 5 hours at Valentia

Tuesday 5th:Early showers in the west became more widespread during the morning with strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Some sunny spells also. During the evening showers became confined to west and northwest coastal areas, with clear spells further east. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds, decreasing during the afternoon.

Rainfall: nil to 12mm, heaviest at Belmullet

Temperature: max. 12°C to 15°C, min. 7°C to 10°C, no ground frost Sunshine: 3 to 7 hours, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome, 3 hours at Shannon

Wednesday 6th:Overnight showers in all areas except the southeast. The showers continued into the morning and afternoon, most frequent in the north and west, before eventually dying out by evening away from Atlantic coasts. Sunny spells in most parts. Winds were northwesterly, light to moderate generally, up to gale force in the north.

Rainfall: trace to 7mm, heaviest at Belmullet, trace at Kilkenny

Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 4°C to 8°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 3 to 8 hours, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome, 3 hours at Malin Head

Thursday 7th:Showers early in the night, confined mainly to western coastal areas. Dry and clear elsewhere with light winds and some fog in places also. Showers continued along the west coast during the morning, while continuing dry elsewhere with some sunny spells developing. There were showers again during the afternoon and evening, however many parts remained dry with clear spells. Winds were light northerly in direction.

Rainfall: nil to 6mm, heaviest at Connacht Airport

Temperature: max. 12°C to 15°C, min. 5°C to 11°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 5 to 10 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 5 hours at Valentia

Friday 8th:Dry overnight with some fog patches. Some showers developed along the east coast during the morning and early afternoon, but mostly dry elsewhere. From mid-afternoon it became dry with sunny periods. Staying dry through the evening and night. Light northeasterly winds.

Rainfall: nil to 3mm, heaviest at Rosslare

Temperature: max. 12°C to 15°C, min. 3°C to 10°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 1 to 9 hours, sunniest at Connacht Airport, 1 hour at Casement

Saturday 9th:A few light showers in places, however generally dry with sunshine in most places. Winds northeasterly to northerly, mainly light, becoming moderate to fresh in the south and southeast at times.

Rainfall: nil to trace

Temperature: max. 12°C to 14°C, min. 3°C to 11°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny, Mullingar and Belmullet

Sunshine: 4 to >8 hours, sunniest at Valentia and Belmullet, 4 hours at Cork Airport

Sunday 10th:Relatively mild overnight with a few scattered light showers, mainly in the east and midlands. Generally dry with just the odd light shower. Sunny spells in Munster and south Leinster. Light to moderate northeasterly winds were fresh and gusty at times along eastern coastal areas.

Rainfall: nil

Temperature: max. 10°C to 14°C, min. 6°C to 11°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to 9 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, nil at Belmullet

Monday 11th:Some rain along southern coasts overnight, dry elsewhere. It was a dull day generally with some areas having outbreaks of mostly light rain or drizzle. Very little sunshine. Light variable or northeasterly winds were moderate and gusty at times on exposed eastern coasts.

Rainfall: nil to<1mm generally, 9mm at Cork Airport

Temperature: max. 10°C to 14°C, min. 2°C to 12°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Mullingar

Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Mullingar

Tuesday 12th: Mist and fog were slow to clear during the morning in many areas. Slight to sharp frost in some inland areas. Dry at first with sunny periods in most places, particularly in inland areas. During the late evening rain reached the extreme southwest. Light variable winds throughout, a little stronger off the south coast during the late evening.

Rainfall: nil to trace generally, 5mm at Valentia, 2mm at Cork Airport

Temperature: max. 11°C to 15°C, min. <1°C to 8°C, ground temperatures down to -3°C at Mullingar

Sunshine: nil to 8 hours, sunniest at Mullingar, nil at Malin Head

Wednesday 13th: Rain, heavy at times in the south of the country,

extended gradually to all areas during the night and morning. Generally dry during the day with just a few light showers in places. More prolonged rain reached the west coast during the late evening. Sunshine amounts were variable with most amounts in the southeast. Light and variable winds.

Rainfall: nil to 16mm, heaviest at Valentia, nil at Malin Head

Temperature: max.11°C to 14°C, min. 3°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Birr

Sunshine: trace to 8 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, trace at Belmullet

Thursday 14th Early rain in the west pushed southeastwards during the

morning, turning heavy at times. Showers by the afternoon in the east, however the rain lingered in the north into the evening. Elsewhere it was a day of sunny spells and scattered showers. Northwesterly winds, light to moderate or fresh near northwest coasts, becoming light inland by evening.

Rainfall: trace to 8mm, heaviest at Valentia, trace at Rosslare Temperature: max. 9°C to 12°C, min. 3°C to 8°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Mullingar and Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport

Friday 15th:Some showers over the western half of the country, while mainly remaining dry further east. The showers became heavy and frequent in the southwest. Daytime temperatures were below normal. Cloudy in the north, however long spells of sunshine generally. Winds were mainly light, westerly in direction, moderate near western coasts.

Rainfall: nil to 3mm generally, 10mm at Valentia

Temperature: max. 11°C to 13°C, min. 2°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to - 4°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: <1 to 9 hours, sunniest at Mullingar, <1 hour at Malin Head

Saturday 16th:Showers overnight, heaviest in the west. During the morning a band of heavier showers approached the east and continued there into the afternoon, dying out after dark. Most sunshine in the south and southwest. Cool. Winds were northerly, generally moderate but stronger on northern coasts.

Rainfall: nil to 8mm, heaviest at Belmullet

Temperature: max. 12°C to 14° min. 3°C to 11°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Birr

Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Valentia, nil at Malin Head

Sunday 17th: A dry night generally with just a few showers, mainly in the west. Showers in places during the day, some of which were heavy, particularly in the northwest and north. Sunny spells also. Light to moderate northerly winds with occasional gale gusts on northern coasts.

Rainfall: nil to 1mm generally, 5mm at Valentia, 3mm at Malin Head Temperature: max. 11°C to 13° min. 4°C to 9°C, no ground frost Sunshine: 1 to 8 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 1 hour at Belmullet

Monday 18th:Some showers in the west and northwest overnight, mainly dry elsewhere. The showers turned to rain in the northwest by early afternoon while remaining dry further east with sunny spells. The rain spread to most areas by late evening or night. Light northwesterly winds throughout. Rainfall: nil to 17mm, heaviest at Belmullet

Temperature: max. 9°C to 13°C, min. 3°C to 6°C, ground temperatures down to 1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: trace to 6 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, trace at Belmullet

Tuesday 19th:Early rain in the west reached eastern areas around dawn. A clearance in the west to scattered showers spread to all areas by noon. Sunny spells for the afternoon and evening with the odd scattered shower, mainly in the west. Winds were southwesterly, light to moderate, easing later.

Rainfall: 2 to 10mm, heaviest at Malin Head, 2mm at Clones

Temperature: max. 7°C to 11°C, min -2°C to 8°C, ground temperatures below zero at most stations, down to -7°C at Mullingar

Sunshine: 2 to 9 hours, sunniest at Valentia, 2 hours at Malin Head

Wednesday 20th:After an extremely cold night (the coldest October night at some stations in eleven years), the morning was generally dull with a few sunny spells in the west. Rain, very heavy in places, reached the south coast by early afternoon and gradually moved northeastwards, affecting all areas. Winds were light north to northeasterly, strengthening by late evening.

Rainfall: 1 to 44mm, heaviest at Casement Aerodrome, 33mm at Rosslare Temperature: max. 5°C to 12°C, min. -3°C to 4°C, ground temperatures below zero at most stations, down to -8°C at Mullingar

Sunshine: nil to 3 hours, sunniest at Valentia and Malin Head

Thursday 21st:A dry start in most parts; however by dawn showers had reached the west coast and gradually spread across the country throughout the day. Some of the showers were heavy and thundery. In between the showers there were sunny spells. Winds were mainly south to southwesterly in direction and reached gale force on the east, north and south coasts.

Rainfall: <1 to 9mm, heaviest at Connacht Airport, <1mm at Connacht Airport Temperature: max. 7°C to 13°C, min. <1°C to 6°C, ground temperatures down to - 6° at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 1 to 6 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 1 hour at Connacht Airport

Friday 22nd: Rain in the south overnight moved up over the country

during the day, affecting all but the northwest and north of the country. The rain was heavy and persistent, particularly along the south coast. Very little sunshine. Light and variable winds, increasing later in the south.

Rainfall: nil to 45mm, heaviest at Rosslare, nil in the north and northwest Temperature: max. 9°C to 14°C, min. 2°C to 10°C, ground temperatures down to - 1°C at Connacht Airport

Sunshine: nil generally, 3 hours at Malin Head,1 hour at Belmullet

Saturday 23rd:The morning was cool and mostly dry with just the odd light shower on northwestern coasts. Milder, wet weather pushed on to southern coasts late in the afternoon and moved slowly northwards in the evening. Sunny spells in the northern half of the country, dull elsewhere. Winds were variable in direction, moderate to fresh and gusty in the south, becoming light. Rainfall: 2 to 12mm generally, nil at Belmullet, 12mm at Valentia

Temperature: max. 10°C to 14°C, min. 2°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Clones and Mullingar

Sunshine: nil to >4 hours, sunniest at Clones and Connacht Airport

Sunday 24th: Windy and showery through the night. Remaining windy

throughout the day with the showers becoming mainly confined to western areas. Some sunny periods also. West to northwesterly winds, fresh to strong initially, easing a little and backing west to southwesterly later.

Rainfall: <1 to 23mm, heaviest at Connacht Airport, <1mm at Dublin Airport Temperature: max. 12°C to 16°C, min. 7°C to 11°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome

Monday 25th:A dry start to the day in most parts with some showers in the southwest and north. Sunny spells in all areas although the extreme north was generally dull. Showers appeared in the southwest in the early afternoon, however amounts were quite small. Winds were light to moderate with occasional stronger gusts, westerly in direction.

Rainfall: nil to 4mm, heaviest at Valentia

Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 2°C to 8°C, ground temperatures down to -3°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 1 to 7 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 1 hour at Malin Head

Tuesday 26th:Early scattered showers, mainly along Atlantic coasts. Western coastal areas had some heavy and persistent rain for the rest of the day but it was drier elsewhere with just the odd shower. Some sunny spells in the eastern half of the country. Light and variable winds became light to moderate southeasterly during the afternoon.

Rainfall: nil to 2mm generally, 19mm at Belmullet, 7mm at Valentia Temperature: max. 9°C to 13°C, min. 1°C to 7°C, ground temperatures down to -5°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: trace to 6 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, trace at Valentia

Wednesday 27th:Mostly dry overnight. Most places had a wet and windy day with spells of heavy and persistent rain, resulting in local flooding, especially in the south and east (see page 2). Northern and northwestern areas received little rain. Dull and overcast with little or no sunshine. Moderate southeasterly winds increased strong to gale force, mainly easterly, with stronger gusts.

Rainfall: 1 to 38mm, heaviest at Cork Airport, 1mm at Malin Head Temperature: max. 10°C to 14°C, min. 7°C to 11°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to trace

Thursday 28th:Very wet and windy overnight and during the morning with some spells of heavy rain, eventually turning to showers in the afternoon. Another band of rain moved onto the south coast later in the evening. Some flooding in southern areas. A few sunny spells in the afternoon. Fresh to strong and very gusty east to southeasterly winds, easing slightly by evening.

Rainfall: 2 to 34mm, heaviest at Kilkenny, 2mm at Belmullet Temperature: max. 13°C to 16°C, min. 7°C to 11°C, no ground frost Sunshine: <2 to 5 hours, sunniest at Malin Head, <2 hours at Kilkenny

Friday 29th:A dull, wet day in most parts, although Ulster and north Connacht had little or no rain. Once again the south and southeast got the heaviest rain with flooding in parts. Very little sunshine. The rain became largely confined to southern coastal areas by evening. Northeasterly winds, moderate to fresh and gusty, backing northerly and easing gradually later. Rainfall: <1 to 19mm, heaviest at Cork Airport, <1mm at Connacht Airport Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 7°C to 11°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Belmullet and Kilkenny

Saturday 30th:Some rain and drizzle along southeastern and eastern coasts by dawn but mostly dry elsewhere. Continuing dry during the morning and into the afternoon with sunny spells. Dry for the evening and night with mist becoming widespread. Winds were light northerly in direction.

Rainfall: nil to 1mm, heaviest at Rosslare

Temperature: max. 12°C to 14°C, min. 3°C to 11°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 8 hours, sunniest at Valentia, nil at Casement Aerodrome

Sunday 31st: A dry day generally with just a little drizzle in places. Early fog was slow to clear and was dense again after dark, particularly in the south and midlands. Generally dull but with some sunshine in the southwest. Winds were light and variable throughout.

Rainfall: nil to trace

Temperature: max. 9°C to 12°C, min. 3°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Connacht Airport and Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 4 hours, sunniest at Valentia

9

DIARY

Rainfall totals for the month

were well above normal over

most of Munster and Leinster,

but they were much closer to

normal in the north and

northwest. Percentage of normal

rainfall values were between 94%

at Malin Head and 257% at

Casement Aerodrome. Totals

ranged from 112mm at Malin

Head to 253mm at Mount

Russell, Co. Limerick, where it

was the wettest October since

1988. Birr’s total of 145mm was

its highest for October since

1967.

As indicated by the chart of daily

values shown on page 11, rain was

recorded throughout the month

with the exception of the periods

9th to 12th and 30th/31st. The

period between the 20th and 28th

was particularly wet, especially over

the south and east of the country.

Falls of more than 25mm were

recorded in the Dublin area on the

20th, while continuous heavy rain

on the 27th and 28th led to some

significant flooding in the south (see

page 2). Over 100mm was measured

in parts of this area on these days,

while a daily fall of 76mm was

recorded at Cappoquin (Mt.

Melleray), Co. Waterford, on the

27th. There were between 15 and

20 wetdays (days with 1mm or more of

rainfall) during the month at most

stations.

10

RAINFALL

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 139.1 150 19.3 3 23 16 CARRON 162.5 97 19.5 3 25 20

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 170.4 170 50.0 27 21 16 CORK AIRPORT 167.1 133 37.8 27 23 18 SHERKIN ISLAND 142.2 122 27.7 27 20 16 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 205.3 52.4 27 24 20

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 112.0 94 21.6 20 19 16 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 133.2 113 18.2 18 19 17 GLENTIES 209.7 117 26.1 4 22 20

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 147.5 211 32.2 27 22 15 DUBLIN AIRPORT 120.0 22.8 28 23 15 CASEMENT AERODROME 177.4 257 46.5 20 21 14 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 135.3 208 35.1 27 23 19

CO. GALWAY

GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.) 182.5 141 29.2 18 23 18 MAAM VALLEY 228.9 23.7 1 25 21 CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK 188.7 106 20.7 13 24 18 BALLYGAR 157.2 146 19.6 3 24 18

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 212.7 135 24.5 27 23 20 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 194.1 25.8 22 24 21

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 141.9 165 33.6 27 19 14

CO. LEITRIM

BALLINAMORE 147.6 121 22.2 3 26 17

CO. LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL 253.2 71.4 27 27 24

CO. LOUTH

ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE) 113.3 140 22.0 27 25 16

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 142.0 106 21.5 18 24 19 STRAIDE 151.7 112 23.5 23 22 20 CONNACHT AIRPORT 170.3 21.5 18 25 19

CO. MEATH

WARRENSTOWN 139.5 166 26.1 20 24 13

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 124.7 129 20.3 3 22 16

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 145.1 173 22.2 27 23 14 DERRYGREENAGH 138.7 161 25.3 3 22 13

CO. SLIGO

ARDTARMON 122.7 18.9 18 20 19

CO. TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 173.2 45.2 28 22 18

CO. WATERFORD

WATERFORD (TYCOR) 195.6 186 36.6 28 22 16 DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 171.4 25.3 27 22 18

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 156.3 166 23.8 3 23 18

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 172.3 160 26.6 28 23 17 ROSSLARE 181.1 191 30.1 28 23 17 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 210.3 191 49.8 28 18 15 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 199.8 33.3 28 22 14

County/

Station

Total % of

Number of

Amount 1961-90 Most in

Raindays Wetdays

(mm) average a day / date (>0.2mm) (>1mm)

Very wet in east

and south, near

normal in north

11

RAINFALL

TToottaall rraaiinnffaallll ((m

mm

m))

PPeerrcceennttaaggee ooff nnoorrm

maall rraaiinnffaallll

00 55 1100 1155 2200 2255 3300

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 1111 1122 1133 1144 1155 1166 1177 1188 1199 2200 2211 2222 2233 2244 2255 2266 2277 2288 2299 3300 3311

Valentia Observatory

Dublin Airport

Clones

Daily 0-24h rainfall values (mm)

12

TEMPERATURE

After a relatively mild start to October,

temperatures fell below normal for almost all of

the remainder of the month. Mean air

temperatures overall were around one degree

below normal at most stations. They ranged

from 7.9°C at Connacht Airport to 11.0°C at

Rosslare. It was the coolest October since 1993

almost everywhere and it was also the third

successive October with mean temperatures

lower than normal.

Almost all stations recorded their highest

temperatures of the month in the period 1st to 3rd.

The highest value, 17.4°C, was measured at both

Dungarvan (Carriglea), Co. Waterford, on the 2nd

and at Clonroche (Knoxtown), Co. Wexford, on the

3rd. Temperatures reached their lowest values

between the 19th and 22nd, with some severe frost

developing at inland stations. The lowest air

temperature of the month, -3.8°C, was measured at

Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, on the 20th, while the

lowest grass minimum value, -9.0°C, was recorded at

the same station, also on the 20th; this latter value

was the lowest at the station since 1993. Mullingar’s

grass minimum temperature of -7.6°C on the 20th

was the lowest such value for October at the station

since records began there in 1950.

Cooler than normal

everywhere

-22 00 22 44 66 88 1100 1122

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 1111 1122 1133 1144 1155 1166 1177 1188 1199 2200 2211 2222 2233 2244 2255 2266 2277 2288 2299 3300 3311

66 88 1100 1122 1144 1166 1188

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 1111 1122 1133 1144 1155 1166 1177 1188 1199 2200 2211 2222 2233 2244 2255 2266 2277 2288 2299 3300 3311

Daily 0-24h maximum temperatures

(°C)

Daily 0-24h minimum temperatures (°C)

‹

Valentia Observatory

Dublin Airport

Clones

‹

Valentia Observatory

Dublin Airport

Clones

M

Meeaann TTeem

mppeerraattuurree

(difference from 1961-90 normals)

SCALE +1.0°C

-0.8°C

-1.0°C

-1.0°C -1.4°C

-1.4°C

-0.6°C -1.1°C

-1.6°C

-0.5°C

-1.2°C -1.4°C

-0.9°C

13

TEMPERATURE

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 12.7 6.4 9.6 -1.5 15.4 1 -1.2 20 -4.7 20 1 2 CARRON 12.2 5.8 9.0 -0.8 14.5 2 -0.8 20 -5.9 20 1 8

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 12.8 5.7 9.3 -1.1 15.8 1 -0.8 21 -4.7 21 1 10 CORK AIRPORT 12.2 6.4 9.3 -1.1 15.2 2 1.9 21 -1.8 20 0 3 SHERKIN ISLAND 13.5 8.2 10.9 -0.8 15.0 8 2.5 20 0.5 20 0 0 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 12.5 5.2 8.9 15.6 2 -0.3 21 -2.5 18 1 5

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 11.9 7.9 9.9 -0.9 15.8 1 1.2 20 -0.7 20 0 1 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 12.2 6.5 9.4 -1.0 15.0 1 24 0.1 20 0 GLENTIES 12.0 5.4 8.7 -1.3 15.1 1 -0.1 20 -0.9 20 1 1

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 13.1 6.4 9.8 -0.6 16.8 1 1.8 26 -2.8 26 0 7 DUBLIN AIRPORT 12.6 6.2 9.4 16.0 3 1.5 26 -1.8 26 0 2 CASEMENT AERODROME 12.6 6.2 9.4 -0.9 15.8 3 2.2 20 -0.6 20 0 2 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 12.9 8.2 10.6 -0.9 17.1 3 4.3 21 0

CO. GALWAY

GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.) 12.9 5.5 9.2 -1.8 16.0 1 5 -1.9 20 -5.0 20 2 11 MAAM VALLEY 12.7 6.6 9.7 15.0 1 -0.3 20 -4.7 20 1 7 CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK 12.7 6.3 9.5 17.2 8 0.3 21 0 BALLYGAR 12.3 5.2 8.8 15.6 1 0.2 21 -3.5 20 0 4

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 13.0 7.6 10.3 -1.3 15.0 2 0.5 20 -4.8 20 0 3 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 12.8 6.1 9.5 -1.5 15.6 2 -0.3 20 -4.5 20 1 4

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 13.1 5.9 9.5 -0.7 17.3 1 0.4 21 -5.7 21 0 14

CO. LEITRIM

BALLINAMORE 12.0 4.5 8.3 -1.4 14.8 24 -3.8 20 -9.0 20 2 18

CO. LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL 11.9 5.9 8.9 15.5 2 1.2 20 -1.7 20 0 2

CO. LOUTH

ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE) 13.2 5.7 9.5 -0.5 15.9 1 -1.9 20 -2.8 20 1 1

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 12.8 7.3 10.1 -0.8 14.8 28 2.4 21 -1.1 9 0 4 STRAIDE 12.2 4.9 8.6 -1.6 15.5 1 -1.8 20 -6.0 20 4 11 CONNACHT AIRPORT 10.5 5.3 7.9 13.8 1 -0.7 20 -4.2 20 1 5

CO. MEATH

WARRENSTOWN 12.5 5.6 9.1 -0.9 15.4 1 3 -0.6 20 -2.2 26 1 2

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 12.1 5.3 8.7 -1.2 16.2 28 -1.0 20 -4.8 20 1 7

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 12.5 5.3 8.9 -1.4 15.2 3 -1.2 20 -7.1 20 1 11 DERRYGREENAGH 12.6 4.7 8.7 -1.0 15.7 2 -1.0 20 -8.2 20 1 16

CO. SLIGO

ARDTARMON 12.8 6.9 9.9 15.4 2 1.2 20 -0.6 20 0 1

CO. TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 12.3 4.9 8.6 16.2 1 0.2 21 -3.0 21 0 5

CO. WATERFORD

WATERFORD (TYCOR) 14.0 6.7 10.4 -0.4 17.1 2 2.6 21 0 DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 13.9 6.4 10.2 -0.7 17.4 2 1.2 21 0.0 21 26 0 0

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 12.2 4.9 8.6 -1.2 15.6 1 -3.0 20 -7.6 20 1 10

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 13.3 7.4 10.4 -0.4 16.7 12 2.3 21 0 ROSSLARE 13.6 8.4 11.0 -0.5 16.1 3 3.7 21 2.1 26 0 0 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 13.2 6.3 9.8 -0.8 16.5 2 1.0 15 -3.5 15 0 8 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 12.7 5.5 9.1 17.4 3 -0.3 26 -3.0 21 26 1 4

Mean/ deviation

Mean Mean from 1961-90 Highest Lowest Lowest Days with max. min. average max./date min./date grass min./date air frost ground frost

County/

Station

°C

14

SUNSHINE

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 3.20 121 30 7.6 7

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 3.35 31 9.1 7 CORK AIRPORT 3.59 127 34 8.5 15 SHERKIN ISLAND 4.48 141 42 8.5 18 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 3.67 8.0 7

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 2.82 115 27 8.9 8 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 3.15 131 30 9.0 8

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT 3.15 100 30 8.0 4 CASEMENT AERODROME 3.02 98 29 7.9 4

CO. GALWAY

GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.) 3.90 143 37 8.9 9

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 3.59 142 34 8.9 8 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 3.65 34 8.6 9

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 3.65 135 34 8.8 7

CO. LEITRIM

BALLINAMORE 3.38 139 32 8.4 8

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 2.83 107 27 8.9 8 STRAIDE 2.94 8.6 8 CONNACHT AIRPORT 3.11 9.4 8

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 3.43 140 32 8.8 8

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 3.22 121 30 8.8 7

CO. WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 3.96 143 37 8.7 7

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 4.13 151 39 8.6 15

CO. WEXFORD

ROSSLARE 4.08 125 38 9.6 7 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 4.00 149 37 8.9 4 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 3.52 8.3 7 8

Very sunny in

most places

October was a very sunny month in many

places, particularly over the south and

midlands, but totals were near normal in

the east. Unusually, the driest parts of

the country were also the dullest;

sunshine totals ranged from 87 hours at

Malin Head to 139 hours at Rosslare,

with percentage of normal values

between 98% of normal at Casement

Aerodrome and 151% at Mullingar, where

it was the sunniest October since records

began there in 1950.

The sunniest period of the month at almost

all stations was between the 6th and 9th, with

the highest daily value, 9.6 hours, recorded at

Rosslare on the 7th. Global solar radiation

totals were above normal everywhere,

ranging from 101% of normal at Birr to

116% at Clones.

Daily mean % of % of Most in (hours/day) average possible a day/date

County/

Station

00 22 44 66 88 1100

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 1111 1122 1133 1144 1155 1166 1177 1188 1199 2200 2211 2222 2233 2244 2255 2266 2277 2288 2299 3300 3311

Daily sunshine values(hours)

Valentia Observatory

Dublin Airport

Clones

TToottaall SSuunnsshhiinnee

(difference from 1961-90 normals)

SCALE 150%

50%

140%

121%

98% 151%

107%

121%

115%

127% 142%

125% 135%

15

WORLD WEATHER

Global weather

highlights of

the month

Heavy rains between the 8th and 10th brought major flooding to India's northeastern state of Assam, neighbouring areas of Bangladesh and Nepal. Flash flooding and mudslides claimed 133 lives in the Assam and West Bengal states of India, 39 in Bangladesh and 5 in Nepal. Thousands of livestock were also lost to the flooding. On Oahu in Hawaii, thunderstorms

deposited exceptionally heavy rain on the Manoa Valley near Waikiki on the 30th. Severe flooding followed a 12-hour fall of 254mm at Manoa, with rainfall rates of 125mm per hour at the height of the storm.

A powerful storm system affected parts of western Europe during the 8th/9th. In Portugal, storms damaged over 100 hectares of greenhouses and disrupted power supplies to many residents in central and northern parts of the country.

Typhoon Tokage was the tenth typhoon to strike Japan this year, setting a new Japanese record for the number of landfalling typhoons in a single season. Tokage brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to nearly all of the country between the 19th and 21st, causing significant flooding and wind damage, with 79 fatalities; it also produced a record 24-meter wave off the port of Muroto on the southern island of Shikoku on the 20th. Severe thunderstorms developed in the

Tennessee Valley region on the 18th, resulting in 28 reports of tornadoes in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama. There were three reported fatalities, while at least 118 buildings were damaged and 15 people injured in Arkansas during the storms.

October 2004

OCTOBER RAINFALL

(percentage of

1961-1990 normal)

OCTOBER MEAN TEMPERATURE

(difference from

1961-1990 normal)

%

200

150

125

100

75

50

0

Data supplied by NOAA Climate Prediction Centre, US Department of Commerce

+5

+3

+1

-1

-3

16

FEATURE

In common with worldwide trends, annual values of mean air temperature in Ireland have shown a

marked increase in recent years. Shown below (fig. 1) are the annual mean temperature departures from

1961 to 1990 normals, averaged from four long-term stations: Malin Head, Valentia Observatory, Birr and

Dublin (Phoenix Park). While the trend in Ireland is similar to the global (land and sea) average- fig.

2-there are notable higher divergences from the long-term normal in Irish values compared with globally

in the period 1930 to 1960 and again since 1990. Extensive datasets of various elements, from which the

global values shown below are taken, are available on the website of the Climatic Research Unit, based

at the University of East Anglia:

.

Comparison of long-term Irish temperatures

with global values

-1.00 -0.50 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

°C

Annual temperature

7- year running average

-0.60 -0.40 -0.20 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

°C

Average of Irish temperature

Average of global temperature