Rainfall was above average in coastal counties in
the North and West and in parts of the East and
Midlands, with below Long-Term Average (LTA)
rainfall elsewhere. Percentage of LTA values
were highest in the counties of Dublin and
Donegal, with values up to 181% at Malahide
Castle, Co. Dublin. Nearly all Dublin stations
attributed nearly a third or more of their monthly
totals to heavy rainfall experienced on the 24th.
Lowest LTA values were recorded in Cork and
Waterford, with the month’s lowest LTA rainfall
recorded at Ballineen (Carbery), Co. Cork with
5% and its driest September since it opened in
1994 (18 years). Mean temperatures were below
average everywhere, with deviations from
average as much as -1.1°C below normal at
Dundalk (Annaskeagh), Co. Louth and at
Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan reporting their coldest
MONTHLY WEATHER
BULLETIN
NO. 317
SEPTEMBER
2012
INSIDE
INSIDE
Special Features Special FeaturesHurricane Leslie and
Hurricane Leslie and
Hurricane Michael
Hurricane Michael
-page 2
-page 2
East Leinster
East Leinster
Floods
Floods
-page 3
-page 3
WIND
WIND&&ELEMENTSELEMENTS
...
...
.
.
4
4
UPPER
UPPER ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE
...
...
.
.
5
5
LABORATORYLABORATORY
...
...
.
.
6
6
AGMETAGMET
...
...
.
.
.. 6/7
.. 6/7
DAILYDAILY WEATHERWEATHER
...
...
8
8
RAINFALLRAINFALL
... 10
... 10
TEMPERATURE
TEMPERATURE
...12
...12
SUNSHINESUNSHINE
...
...
1
1
4
4
MARINEMARINE
&
&
PRESSUREPRESSURE...
...
.
.
. 1
. 1
5
5
WORLDWORLD WEATHERWEATHER
...
...
.
.
1
1
6
6
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]
tel: +353-1-8064260 fax: +353-1-8064216
WET AND DULL IN PARTS; COLD EVERYWHERE
September since 1994 (18 years) and 2008 (4
years), respectively. A few stations in the East
and Northwest reported it as the coldest
September since 1994 (18 years), with most
remaining stations reporting colder temperatures
in 2008. All highest maximum temperatures were
recorded during the first week with the month’s
highest maximum of 24.7°C recorded at
Springfield Castle, Co. Limerick on the 3rd.
Lowest minimum air and grass temperatures
were recorded in the latter half of the month,
mostly on the 22nd, with the lowest air and grass
minima at Dublin Airport of 0.5°C and -3.7°C,
respectively, the lowest for September at the
station since it opened for in 1942 (70 years).
Lowest air minima in parts of Dublin and
surrounding regions were the lowest in at least 20
to 40 years. September’s lowest grass minimum
temperature was at the relatively new station at
Athleague, Co. Roscommon where it recorded
2
SEPTEMBER2012At the start of September, two hurricanes were recorded over the Atlantic Ocean, Leslie and Michael. Tropical Storm
Leslie reached hurricane status on the 5th and again on the 10th, becoming the sixth hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic
Hurricane Season with maximum winds of up to 70 knots
(130 km/h)
. Damage was caused by Leslie on September
10th as it made landfall along the Burin Peninsula of southeastern Newfoundland, Canada as a extra-Tropical
storm. Tropical Storm Michael intensified to hurricane status also on the 5th, becoming the seventh hurricane this
Atlantic Hurricane Season and the first major hurricane of 2012 with winds reaching as high as 100 knots
(185
km/h)
. Hurricane Michael never made landfall before weakening and downgrading to a tropical storm on the 10th,
and reclassifying as a post-tropical storm on the 11th. (Information and storm track maps courtesy of the National
Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/)
Satellite images from two NASA satellites were combined to create this full picture of Tropical Storm Leslie (on left) and Hurricane Michael (on right) spinning in the Atlantic Ocean on September 9th at 16:50 UTC. This visible image was taken by the MODIS instrument aboard both NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites (Image courtesy of NASA Goddard/MODIS Rapid Response Team)
Left and Right: Maps produced by the National Hurricane Center show the storm
tracks of Leslie and Michael over the Atlantic Ocean. Using the legend below, the different stages of the
storm can be identified.
HURRICANE LESLIE AND HURRICANE MICHAEL
TROPICAL STORM LESLIE
HURRICANE LESLIE STORM TRACK
HURRICANE MICHAEL
STORM TRACK
HURRICANE MICHAEL
DATE
NOVA SCOTIA
BERMUDA
AZORES
LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
MAX WIND OF70
KNOTS RECORDED AT1200 UTC ON
5TH MINIMUM PRESSURE RECORDED AT0600 UTC ON11TH
MINIMUM PRESSURE RECORDED AT1200 UTC ON6TH MAX WIND OF100
KNOTS RECORDED AT1200 UTC ON
6TH NEWFOUNDLAND
QUEBEC
NEWFOUNDLAND
DATE
3
SEPTEMBER2012
FLOODING IN EAST LEINSTER
A low pressure system moved northwards
across the United Kingdom on the 23rd of
September remaining in-situ for over two
days. This deep depression measuring as
low as 977 hPa caused flooding in the UK
and in parts of the North and East of
Ireland. During the morning of the 24th,
bands of heavy and persistent rain
affected parts of Ulster and much of
Leinster, becoming widespread across
these parts during the afternoon. The
heavy rainfall continued throughout the
night of the 24th resulting in flooding in
several areas in the Meath and Dublin
counties. Bettystown, Skerries,
Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk and Portmarnock
were all affected by floodwater with
dangerous driving conditions reported in
parts.The heaviest rainfall was recorded in
Dublin, Wicklow and Louth with Malahide
Castle, Co. Dublin recording the highest
daily rainfall for the 24th with 70.5 mm, a
rainfall event of one in 30 years for the
site. The rain continued intermittently
through the 25th, with the system finally
clearing on the morning of the 26th.
-5.3°C. Sunshine totals were below average in
parts of the West and in the far North, with
above average totals elsewhere. Percentage of
average values ranged from 92% at Belmullet to
123% at Dublin Airport, which reported its
sunniest September since 1996 (16 years) with
nearly 160 hours of sunshine.
1st to 8th:
Mainly dry and warm due to high pressure
with light rain and patchy drizzle, with some isolated
thundery showers. Occasionally cloudy, with some
mist and fog, but a good deal of clear sunny spells.
9th to 14th:
Unsettled weather bringing damp
conditions with bands of rain, drizzle and scattered
showers, some with thunder. Some prolonged
periods of sunshine especially in the eastern half of
the country.
15th to 22nd:
Showery activity, which was scattered
at times, some showers heavy, with occasional
thunder. Bands of rain and patches of drizzle, with
heavy bursts in places. Turning colder, with some
good clear, sunny spells.
23rd to 30th:
Frontal activity brought more unsettled
weather with heavy showers and persistent rain in
parts, becoming widespread at times. Cold almost
everywhere, with dry and cloudy conditions and
some sunshine in places.
Wind and Elements:
Mean windspeeds for the
month were between six (
11km/h)
at Mullingar and
18 knots (
33km/h)
at Malin Head, its highest mean
wind speed for September since 1984 (28 years).
Gales were reported on four days, all in the North
and West. Number of days with gale gusts ranged
from none at numerous locations in the Midlands
and Southwest to 16 at Malin Head, which also
reported the month’s highest gust on the 25th of 55
knots
(102km/h)
. Thunderstorm activity was
identified on all days except the 1st, 25th, 29th and
30th. Days with ground frost were up to four days at
Carron, Co. Clare and Durrow, Co. Laois with some
stations in the Southwest reporting no ground frost.
A few stations reported one day with air frost on the
22nd in the Midlands, East and Northwest.
ANALYSIS CHART 0000 UTC 25/09/12 COMPOSITE RADAR
4
WIND & ELEMENTS
CO. CARLOW
OAK PARK 7.0 220° 18 1/15 290° 32 11/1336 0 0 0
280° 18 11/1300
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE 6.8 230° 20 13/15 10° 34 26/0441 0 1 1
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT 8.6 250° 26 13/15 250° 35 13/1359 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT 11.2 320° 28 26/06 330° 40 26/0855 0 2 11
CORK AIRPORT 8.6 330° 29 26/08 330° 39 26/0735 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 3
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD 18.0 360° 44 25/10 10° 55 25/1241 4 16 139
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT 11.7 260° 30 13/17 250° 41 13/1725 0 4 15 0 0 0 0 0
CASEMENT 10.4 240° 27 13/19 230° 39 13/1810 0 2 7 0 0 0 0 0
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 8.3 10° 21 26/11 360° 34 26/1027 0 1 1
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET 12.9 360° 34 25/17 10° 50 25/1608 1 7 60
KNOCK AIRPORT 9.7 240° 25 13/18 240° 40 13/1740 0 5 19 0 2
CO. MEATH
DUNSANY (GRANGE) 8.4 240° 23 13/16 230° 32 13/1611 0 0 0
CO. ROSCOMMON
MOUNT DILLON 7.4 220° 20 1/12 230° 35 13/1719 0 1 1
240° 20 13/17
CO. TIPPERARY
GURTEEN(AG. COLLEGE) 8.0 240° 21 13/14 240° 30 13/1802 0 0 0
250° 21 14/24 310° 30 18/1353
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR 5.8 220° 14 1/15 330° 32 26/0226 0 0 0
230° 14 13/16
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
8.6 230° 20 1/12 230° 31 1/1248 0 0 0
220° 20 30/08
COUNTY
/
STATIONSEPTEMBER2012
MEAN MAX. 10-MIN. MEAN MAX. GUST DAYS WITH HOURS WITH
SPEED DIR. SPEED DATE/HOUR DIR. SPEED DATE/TIME GALES GALE GUSTS GALE GUSTS SNOW SNOW LYING HAIL THUNDER FOG
< 5 5 - 10 10 - 20 20 - 35 > 35
WINDSPEED INknots
WIND (knots)
ELEMENTS (no.of days)
BELMULLET
PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION
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 windspeeds and temperatures at defined pressure levels, 850, 700, 500 and 300
hPa, corresponding approximately to heights of 1,500, 3,000, 6,000 and 10,000 metres.
Monthly windroses are also shown for each pressure level.
UPPER ATMOSPHERE
SEPTEMBER2012
5
300 hPa
500 hPa
850 hPa
700 hPa
UPPER AIR WIND SPEED AND TEMPERATURE SEPTEMBER
2012
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) 12.4 13.1 13.3
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE 11.9 12.8 13.7
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT 13.5 13.8 14.8 CARRON 14.0 14.9
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT 13.0 13.7 14.0 FERMOY (MOOREPARK) 13.3 13.8 14.6 CORK AIRPORT 12.9 13.4 14.5 SHERKIN ISLAND 13.9 14.4 14.8 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 12.2 12.1 13.9
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD 12.6 13.6 14.3
CO. DUBLIN
PHOENIX PARK 12.7 13.9 14.6 DUBLIN AIRPORT 11.8 12.8 13.6 CASEMENT AERODROME 12.1 12.6 13.8
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 13.9 14.7 15.1
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNTRUSSELL 12.2 13.2
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET 13.1 14.3 15.0 STRAIDE 13.7 KNOCK AIRPORT 10.6 11.7 12.6
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN 12.6 13.6 14.8 DUNSANY (GRANGE) 12.0 12.8 13.6
CO. TIPPERARY
GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE) 12.9 13.3 13.7 FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 13.0 13.7
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 13.4 14.1
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR 13.5 14.3 15.0
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 12.9 13.0 13.7 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 13.7 14.5 16.5 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 13.6 14.5 14.8
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 13.5 14.1 15.3
100 mm 200 mm 300 mm
MEAN SOIL TEMPERATURES(°C) AT0900 UTC SEPTEMBER2012
MEAN
100 mm
SOIL TEMPERATURES
(°C)
AT
0900 UTC
(
DIFFERENCE FROM1981-2010
NORMALS IN BRACKETS
)
SOIL MOISTURE DEFICITS
(mm)
10
TH OF MONTH/END OFMONTH
0
REPRESENTS FIELD CAPACITY-10
SATURATION12.6
(+0.1)
10.6
11.9
16.0
(-0.1)
12.4
(-0.6)
12.9
(-0.8)
12.9
12.9
(-0.1)
13.9
(0.0)
13.5
12.1
(-0.5)
-10/
-6
0/
-2
-3/
-10
4/
-3
4/
1
8/
-2
14/
8
7/
-1
12/13
12
/8
-10/
-3
10/1
13.1
(-0.6)
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.
*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)
7
AGMET
SEPTEMBER2012
CO. CORK 1-10 6.7 - 2 2 19.8 10.5 15.2 - 6.6 5 0 108 54 6.4 5 0 14.4 15.7 63.3 - BALLINCURRIG 11-20 2.9 - 2 2 17.1 8.0 12.6 - 4.2 19 0 81 31 4.0 19 0 12.0 13.8 44.5 - 21-END 13.2 - 7 4 14.6 7.1 10.9 - 4.0 22 0 65 17 3.7 22 0 10.4 12.1 30.5 -
MONTH 22.8 22 11 8 17.2 8.5 12.9 -0.2 4.0 22 0 254 101 3.7 22 0 12.2 13.9 138.3 105
CO. DONEGAL 1-10 NA - NA NA 17.6 11.4 14.5 - 5.8 6 0 101 46 2.2 6 0 - - - - GLENTIES 11-20 NA - NA NA 15.0 8.9 12.0 - 5.5 19 0 75 23 1.5 19 0 - - - - 21-END NA - NA NA 13.9 6.6 10.3 - 0.1 22 0 60 15 -2.6 22 2 - - - -
MONTH NA NA NA 15.5 8.9 12.2 -0.6 0.1 22 0 236 84 -2.6 22 2 - - - -
CO. KERRY 1-10 19.3 - 5 4 18.9 11.8 15.4 - 8.3 5 0 109 54 7.2 5 0 - - 61.0 - ARDFERT 11-20 26.3 - 9 6 16.3 10.5 13.4 - 8.0 19 0 90 35 6.2 19 0 - - 42.7 -
21-END 30.9 - 8 7 15.4 8.9 12.2 - 5.5 22 0 78 25 4.3 22 0 - - 40.2 -
MONTH 76.5 85 22 17 16.9 10.4 13.7 -0.1 5.5 22 0 277 114 4.3 22 0 - - 143.9 116
CO. MONAGHAN 1-10 9.1 - 4 2 19.0 10.7 14.9 - 6.5 6 0 104 51 3.4 6 0 - - - - CARRICKMACROSS 11-20 17.0 - 9 6 15.5 7.2 11.4 - 3.1 19 0 70 22 -0.5 19 1 - - - - 21-END 32.2 - 7 5 14.1 6.4 10.3 - 0.2 23 0 60 15 -1.6 22 2 - - - -
MONTH 58.3 81 20 13 16.2 8.1 12.2 -0.6 0.2 23 0 235 87 -1.6 22 3 - - - -
CO. WATERFORD 1-10 8.1 - 2 2 20.1 11.3 15.7 - 6.1 6 0 113 59 5.1 6 0 - 15.8 66.8 - DUNGARVAN 11-20 3.1 - 5 1 18.0 8.6 13.3 - 4.2 19 0 89 38 2.5 19 0 - 14.2 52.9 -
21-END 9.2 - 6 5 15.5 8.9 12.2 - 4.2 22 0 78 25 3.0 22 0 - 12.5 28.7 -
MONTH 20.4 22 13 8 17.8 9.6 13.7 -0.2 4.2 19 0 279 122 2.5 19 0 - 14.1 148.4 111
CO. WEXFORD 1-10 11.4 - 2 2 19.0 11.2 15.1 - 8.0 6 0 107 52 2.8 6 0 16.3 17.8 65.4 - J.F.K. PARK 11-20 7.2 - 5 2 16.6 7.7 12.2 - 4.0 19 0 78 28 0.5 19 0 13.1 16.7 50.4 -
21-END 20.8 - 6 5 14.4 7.8 11.1 - 4.2 22 0 67 17 0.2 29 0 11.6 15.1 26.2 -
MONTH 39.4 47 13 9 16.7 8.9 12.8 -0.7 4.0 19 0 252 97 0.2 29 0 13.7 16.5 142.0 109
CO. WICKLOW 1-10 18.3 - 2 2 20.0 11.3 15.7 - 7.0 6 0 113 58 1.5 6 0 16.0 17.1 66.7 - ASHFORD 11-20 12.6 - 6 2 17.3 8.0 12.7 - 5.4 15 0 83 33 0.4 15 0 13.0 15.4 67.6 - 21-END 46.9 - 6 5 14.5 7.8 11.2 - 2.8 22 0 68 19 -2.9 22 3 11.5 13.4 24.9 -
MONTH 77.8 102 14 9 17.3 9.0 13.2 -0.4 2.8 22 0 263 109 -2.9 22 3 13.5 15.3 159.2 117
AMOUNT % OF A V ERA GE RAIN D A Y S WET D A Y S MEAN MAX . MEAN MIN . MEAN D AIL Y DIFF . FROM A V ERA GE L O WEST MIN . DA T E D A Y S WITH AIR FROST DEGREE D A Y S > 4.4°C DEGREE D A Y S > 10.0°C L O WEST " GRASS -MIN ." DA T E D A Y S WITH GROUND FROST MEAN 10 CM A T 0900 H MEAN 30 CM A T 0900 H TO T A L N O . OF HOURS % OF A V ERA GE STATION PERIOD
RAINFALL TEMPERATURE SUNSHINE
(mm) (°C) (hours)
10-DAY VALUES FOR
SELECTEDAGROMETEOROLOGICAL STATIONS
MONTHLY EVAPORATION
(mm)
FROM CLASS A PANMONTHLY MONTHLY COUNTY STATION RAINFALL EVAPORATION
(mm) (mm)
CO.KERRY VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 76.1 50.2
CO.KERRY NORTH KERRY LANDFILL 118.0 28.4
CO.MAYO NEWPORT (FURNACE) 177.7 30.8
CO.OFFALY DERRYGREENAGH 73.8 42.4
CO.WATERFORD DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 20.4 51.8
CO.WEXFORD J.F.K. PARK 39.4 77.0
P.E.
(PENMAN)
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION (MJ/sq.m.)STATION/COUNTY TOTAL (mm) 1ST-10TH 11TH-20TH 21ST-END TOTAL
CO.CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)*
CO.CAVAN BALLYHAISE* CO.CLARE SHANNON AIRPORT CO.CORK CORK AIRPORT ROCHE’S POINT*
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*
132.38 103.90 76.70 312.98 106.11 101.15 78.19 285.45
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION VALUES FOR STATIONS MARKED
*
ARE PROVISIONAL140.46 114.92 80.21 335.59 91.31 90.09 83.28 264.68 141.82 109.86 79.57 331.25
117.66 100.21 104.25 322.12
91.55 108.25 82.04 281.84
121.26 101.96 80.11 303.33
113.84 102.69 80.54 297.07 130.63 112.26 84.69 327.58 48 42 44 44 50 49 46 39 43 37 44 42 49
MEASURED POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
(P.E.)
AND SOIL MOISTURE
P.E. (mm) SOIL MOISTURE(mm)
STATION PERIOD AMOUNT DEFICIT ACCUM’LTD DEFICIT SURPLUS
CO. KERRY 1-10 N/A -VALENTIA OBS. 11-20 N/A - - -
21-END N/A
Saturday 1st:Dry almost everywhere overnight, with a sunny start in parts of the East and much of the South. Rain began to affect the West by lunchtime moving eastwards during the afternoon. Heavy at times in the West, but some areas, especially the Southeast, received little or no rain. By evening the rain had become much lighter before petering out later. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 24.0 mm at Derriana
Temperature:Lowest max. 15.9°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 21.5 °C at Cahore (Kilmichael Hse.), lowest min. 8.7 °C at Fermoy (Moore Park), highest min. 14.9 °C at Mace Head
Sunshine:Nil at Newport (Furnace) to 7.8 hours at Clonroche (Knoxtown)
Sunday 2nd: Small amounts of light rain and drizzle in parts of the South and East cleared away by mid-morning to leave a pleasant day in all parts. There were good spells of sunshine in most places and temperatures were a couple of degrees above normal for the time of year. Winds were light to moderate, westerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 5.6 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan)
Temperature: Lowest max. 16.7 °C at Mace Head, highest max. 24.1 °C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 9.3 °C at Straide, highest min. 15.8 °C at Dublin (Glasnevin)
Sunshine:0.2 hours at Shannon Apt. to 10.7 hours at Sherkin Island
Monday 3rd:A dry start, with good sunny spells. The afternoon continued dry with some sunny spells, but some patchy drizzle developed in parts of the West. The evening and night saw some patchy rain and drizzle in the West and South of the country, but it remained dry elsewhere with clear spells. Winds were moderate, south to southwest.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 11.9 mm at Maam Valley
Temperature:Lowest max. 16.0°C at Sherkin Island, highest max. 24.7°C at Springfield Castle, lowest min. 6.4°C at Piltown (Kildalton), highest min. 13.8°C at Mace Head
Sunshine:Nil at Belmullet to 8.0 hours at Clonroche (Knoxtown)
Tuesday 4th:Some patchy light rain and drizzle overnight, mainly over eastern parts. This rain cleared by early morning, though mist lingered a little longer in some places. Generally it was a dry day with long clear spells and some good periods of sunshine. Winds were light, west to northwest. Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 6.5 mm at Ennistymon (Ballymacraven)
Temperature:Lowest max.15.8°C at Belderrig, highest max. 22.3°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 8.6°C at Straide, highest min. 16.1°C at Ashford (Cronkeery)
Sunshine:5.4 hours at Sherkin Island to 9.6 hours at Galway NUI
Wednesday 5th: Dry overnight with clear spells and some mist and fog patches in places. The day was dry with good sunshine in most areas; just some mist persisted in parts during the morning. The evening and night continued dry with some good sunny spells. Winds were light to moderate, beginning northwesterly backing southwesterly by evening.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 9.0 mm at Castledargan G.C
Temperature:Lowest max. 16.0°C at Malin Head, highest max. 20.5°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 3.0 °C at Castleconnell, highest min. 12.6°C at Malin Head
Sunshine:6.0 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 11.2 hours at Cork Apt, Ashford (Cronykeery)
Thursday 6th:Mostly dry and clear overnight, with mist and fog over parts of the South for much of the morning. Though the day was generally dry in most places, there were some showers of patchy rain in parts of Ulster throughout the afternoon. Further showers affected the Northwest during the evening spreading further east into Ulster overnight. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 23.9 mm at Ardnawark (Barnesmore)
Temperature:Lowest max. 15.4°C at Newport, highest max. 23.1°C at Mallow (Spa Hse.), lowest min. 3.4°C at Thomastown (Mount Juliet), highest min. 10.5°C at Mace Head
Sunshine:0.1 hours at Belmullet to 11.4 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse.)
Friday 7th: Showers in Ulster and western coastal areas overnight, with the rest of the country remaining dry. Showers cleared by early morning to leave a generally dry day with some very light showers over the Midlands in the afternoon. The sun broke through heavy cloud cover to give some periods of sunshine by early evening with further light rain in parts of the East later on. Winds were light, west to southwest.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 8.0 mm at Knightstown
Temperature:Lowest max. 15.8°C at Sherkin Island, highest max. 22.2°C at Dublin (Glasnevin), lowest min. 7.0°C at Cashel (Ballydoyle Hse.), highest min 15.0°C at Straide
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 11.2 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse.)
Saturday 8th:Some drizzle or light rain along western and northern coastal areas petered out during the morning. Generally a dry day with prolonged periods of sunshine in the East, Midlands and South. Cloudy elsewhere, but with some breaks of sunshine. It remained dry through the evening. Winds were light, south to southwest.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 12.1 mm at Cloone Lake (Caragh River)
Temperature:Lowest max. 15.7° C at Cork Apt., highest max. 22.5°C at Cavan (Drumconnick), lowest min. 11.3°C at Ashford (Cronykeery), highest min. 16.6°C at Dublin
(Glasnevin), Dublin (Merrion Sq.)
Sunshine:2.5 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 10.0 hours at Ardfert (Liscahane)
Sunday 9th: Dry for much of the night, showers of rain began to spread into the Southwest and West towards morning spreading eastwards through the morning and early afternoon. There were a few heavy ones in Ulster and through the Midlands during the mid-afternoon but they fizzled out later. Winds were light to moderate, southeasterly at first, becoming variable later on.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 28.3 mm at Glencar (Dreenagh)
Temperature:Lowest max. 16.0°C at Belderrig, highest max. 21.5°C at Springfield Castle, lowest min. 5.8°C at Dublin Apt., highest min. 14.0°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:0.1 hours at Belmullet. to 8.2 hours at J.F.K Park
Monday 10th: Damp overnight with patchy light rain or drizzle. During early morning a band of rain began to push into the Northwest and West. The rain crossed the country through the day clearing the southeast by late afternoon. Rain was heaviest in the South where it produced some thunderstorms. Further heavy showers spread into the western half of the country during the evening. Winds were light, southwesterly veering northwesterly later.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 27.6 mm at Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall)
Temperature:Lowest max. 11.3°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 19.0°C at Mallow (Spa Hse.), lowest min. 9.5°C at Newport (Furnace), highest min. 15.5°C at Dublin (Glasnevin)
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 5.6 hours at Sherkin Island
Tuesday 11th: Scattered showers in western parts overnight, otherwise dry with clear spells. Showers became widespread during the morning, heavy in places, continuing through the afternoon, but with some good sunny spells also. Rain developed in the Southwest and West of the country during the evening and night, with scattered showers elsewhere. Winds were strong and gusting, west to northwest.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 26.8 mm at Fintown (Kingarrow)
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.0°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 17.1°C at Sligo Apt., lowest min. 4.6°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest min. 11.8°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:0.3 hours at J.F.K Park to 9.8 hours at Dublin Apt.
Wednesday 12th: Some rain and drizzle along western coasts overnight, but dry elsewhere with some clear spells. Patchy rain and drizzle in many places during the morning. Rain in the East and Midlands during early afternoon, but this cleared quickly, with some good sunshine developing in many places during the afternoon. The evening and night remained dry. Winds were fresh to strong, variable in direction.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 10.5 mm at Drummin (Tawneyard)
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.9°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 20.4°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 6.5°C at Cavan (Drumconnick), highest min. 12.3°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:4.6 hours at Ardfert (Liscahane) to 9.5 hours at Sherkin Island
Thursday 13th: Mainly dry to start with scattered showers on western coasts. Outbreaks of rain around dawn in the North with further bursts of heavier rain later in the morning. Some good spells of sunshine during the afternoon, but early evening saw a band of rain approach the northwest coast crossing the country slowly, leaving only the South and East dry. Winds were moderate, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 8.0 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan)
Temperature:Lowest max. 14.9°C at Carron, highest max. 21.1°C at Cork (Clover Hill), lowest min. 3.4°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 12.9°C at Valentia Observatory
Sunshine:0.1 hours at Sherkin Island to 8.7 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
Friday 14th: A band of rain cleared the Southeast towards dawn, leaving scattered showers which tended to be heavier in the northern half of the country. These showers became patchy and died out during the afternoon leaving a dry day. Winds were moderate to strong, northwesterly, with some gusting in the early part of the day.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 16.0 mm at Drummin Tawneyard
Temperature:Lowest max. 14.6°C at Malin Head, highest max. 21.1°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 8.1°C at Ardare Manor, highest min. 13.8°C at Killarney (Muckross Hse.)
Sunshine:3.1 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall) to 8.9 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
Saturday 15th: Mostly dry overnight apart from patchy rain in parts of the south Midlands and Munster. There was thick cloud cover countrywide for most of the day, with a little drizzle or rain in places. Brief sunny spells with highest sunshine in the Southwest. A cloudy evening with the odd spot of rain or drizzle in places. Winds were light to moderate, fresh on northern coasts, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 18.0 mm at Cloghane
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.9°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 18.8°C at Piltown (Kildalton), lowest min. 5.2°C at Markree, highest min. 13.3°C at Belmullet
Sunshine:Nil at Casement to 8.6 hours at J.F.K Park
Sunday 16th: A band of rain affected the northwest coast and moved across the country bringing rain to most places, clearing the Southeast coast by late morning. Further scattered showers followed and became confined to the West coast by early evening. Winds were fresh, west to southwest. Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 21.2 mm at Ardnawark (Barnesmore)
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.6°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 19.5°C at Dungarvan (Carriglea), lowest min. 9.0°C at J.F.K Park, Springfield Castle, highest min. 13.7°C at Dublin (Glasnevin)
Sunshine:0.8 hours at J.F.K Park to 6.4 hours at Belmullet
Monday 17th: Showers continued over night in the West and North, but it remained dry further east. Showers picked up during the morning and by afternoon there was a scattering of heavy showers countrywide. The showers gradually died back to Atlantic coasts late in the evening. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly at first, gradually veering west to northwest. Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 15.4 mm at Cuilcagh Mts.
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.5°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 18.4°C at Dungarvan (Carriglea), lowest min. 5.5°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 12.0°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:1.3 hours at Shannon Apt. to 7.0 hours at Belmullet
Tuesday 18th: Showers continued overnight near Atlantic coasts and through north Ulster, with the rest of the country remaining dry. The showers spread countrywide during the afternoon, with heaviest showers in the northern half of the country. Only the Southeast remained dry. The showers gradually died back to Ulster and north Connacht late in the evening. Winds were light to strong, variable in direction.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 18.5 mm at Bloody Foreland
Temperature:Lowest max. 12.2°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 19.1°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 2.5°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 11.1°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:4.0 hours at J.F.K Park to 10.8 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse.)
Wednesday 19th:Scattered showers in the West and North overnight, dry elsewhere. Further scattered showers in western parts during the morning, but the East remained dry. During the afternoon the showers became more widespread, with rain and drizzle developing over the northern half of the country during the evening and night. Only the far South remained dry. Winds were fresh to moderate, west to northwest.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 37.7 mm at Ardnawark (Barnesmore)
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.1°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 17.6°C at Mallow (Spa Hse.), lowest min. 1.2°C at Thomastown (Mt. Juliet), highest min. 10.1°C at Mace Head
Sunshine:1.5 hours at Galway NUI to 9.4 hours at J.F.K Park
Thursday 20th: Showers for much of the country overnight, with the most persistent rain in Ulster. The rain continued during the morning over the North, but elsewhere it was mostly dry. The showers continued in Ulster through the afternoon and early evening with some patchy rain and drizzle in other parts. Showers became intermittent in the North, while the rest of the country had a relatively dry evening and night. Winds were light, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 23.5 mm at Newport (Furnace)
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.0°C at Slieve Bloom (Nealstown), highest max. 17.0°C at Cahore (Kilmichael Hse.), lowest min. 5.0°C at Fethard (Parsonshill), highest min. 12.0°C at Valentia Observatory
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 7.9 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Friday 21st: A band of rain lay across the country, gradually moving southwards through the early hours, with some heavy bursts before clearing. Further showers of drizzle in the North and South of the country died out in the early afternoon to leave a bright but cold day. Winds were light, northerly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 4.6 mm at Roscrea (New Road)
Temperature:Lowest max. 12.3°C at Malin Head, highest max. 17.8°C at Mallow (Spa Hse.), lowest min 1.2°C at Glenties, highest min. 11.0°C at Dooks
Sunshine:0.2 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery) to 10.1 hours at Knock Apt.
Saturday 22nd: A cloudy start with patchy drizzle in many places around dawn. Further showers passed over the west coast during the morning before receding to leave a dry day countrywide. Despite some periods of sunshine everywhere, it remained cold for the time of year. Winds were light, northerly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 7.7 mm at Listowel (Gurtocloghane)
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.0°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 17.8°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. -0.8°C at Mount Dillon, highest min. 9.1°C at Valentia Observatory
Sunshine:2.2 hours at J.F.K Park to 7.1 hours at Dublin Apt.
Sunday 23rd: Dry and cold overnight with a slight grass frost in a few places. The rest of the day was dry in most places. However, during the late evening a narrow band of intense rain developed along the west coast from Kerry to Mayo. Winds were light, southeasterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 31.5 mm at Newport (Ardagh Lodge)
Temperature:Lowest max. 12.5°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest max. 18.1°C at Glengariff
(Ilnacullin), lowest min. -0.1°C at Ardee (Bohernamoe), highest min. 11.2 °C at Valentia Observatory
Sunshine:Nil at Ballincurrig (Peafield) to 8.3 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall)
Monday 24th: Showery rain affected western counties overnight before pushing into the East. During the morning, Ulster and much of north Leinster was affected by persistent and heavy rain. Another narrow band of rain affected west Connacht and parts of north Munster while western Munster saw a mixture of sunshine and showers. The rain became widespread across the North and was especially heavy at times during the afternoon and evening. Winds were light, west to northwest.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 70.5 mm at Malahide Castle
Temperature:Lowest max. 9.2°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest max. 17.1°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 3.5°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest min. 10.8°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 8.2 hours at Sherkin Island
Tuesday 25th:Steady rain continued nationwide overnight, heaviest in Ulster and north Leinster. There was also a narrow band of intense rain, for a while in Connacht. The rain slowly cleared southwards during the afternoon and evening but further pulses of heavy rain affected the East later in the evening. Winds were moderate to strong, variable in direction. Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 45.1 mm at Glenbride Lodge
Temperature:Lowest max. 10.2°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest max. 14.8°C at Mallow (Spa Hse.), lowest min. 6.4°C at Fethard (Parsonshill), highest min. 10.0°C at Malin Head
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 1.0 hours at J.F.K Park
Wednesday 26th: Heavy rain continued in Leinster and east Ulster during the early hours of the morning. The rain gradually cleared southwards through the morning but it was early afternoon before it finally cleared the Southeast. Apart from some patchy light rain in the West the rest of the day was dry. Winds were light to strong, northerly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 18.5 mm at Glenmacnass
Temperature:Lowest max. 12.9°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 17.6°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 6.9°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest min. 11.7°C at Malin Head
Sunshine: Nil at J.F.K Park to 6.3 hours at Ballincurrig (Peafield)
Thursday 27th: Mostly dry overnight with just the odd shower along the West and North coasts. The morning was mainly dry, but with some spells of drizzle in the North. The afternoon had showers along the North and West coasts but dry elsewhere. By late afternoon rain and drizzle developed along western coasts, spreading across the country during the evening and night. Winds were light to moderate, variable in direction.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 15.1 mm at Pettigo (Belault)
Temperature:Lowest max. 12.3°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest max. 16.7°C at Dungarvan (Carriglea), lowest min. 6.1°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest min. 11.1°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 4.8 hours at Sherkin Island
Friday 28th: Widespread showers in the West during the morning but further east mainly dry with some good sunny spells. The showers spread countrywide during the afternoon. During the evening and night showers became confined to the West and North with clear spells further east. Winds were light to moderate, sometimes fresh, west to northwest.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 18.1 mm at Roundstone
Temperature:Lowest max. 12.7 °C at Knock Apt., highest max. 17.1°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 7.6°C at Glenties, highest min. 11.5°C at Killarney (Muckross Hse.)
Sunshine:1.1 hours at J.F.K Park to 8.6 hours at Sherkin Island
Saturday 29th: Overnight showers in the West and North died out by morning to leave a relatively dry day, with the odd shower in the afternoon in the Northwest. During the evening further showers pushed into the North and West eventually covering much of the northern half of the country by nightfall. Winds were light, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 52.7 mm at Maam Valley
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.8°C at Knock Apt., highest max. 17.3°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin), lowest min. 3.0°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 11.2°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:1.7 hours at Galway NUI to 7.7 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse.)
Sunday 30th: Widespread rain overnight in the northern half of the country, cleared initially, only to be followed by a further heavy band of rain and showers from the West. The showers cleared by late morning, though some lingered along the south coast until early afternoon. Further intermittent showers spread from the West but were well scattered. Winds were moderate to fresh, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 14.0 mm at Dunmanway
Temperature:Lowest max. 13.9°C at Slieve Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), highest max. 18.0°C at Dooks, lowest min. 6.8°C at Fethard (Parsonshill), highest min. 13.7°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:1.1 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse.) to 7.0 hours at Belmullet
9
DAILY WEATHER
Rainfall was mainly above
average in coastal counties in the
West, North and East, with
below average totals elsewhere,
especially along southern coasts.
Percentage of Long-Term
Averages (LTAs) were highest in
Donegal and Dublin, with
Malahide Castle, Co. Dublin
reporting the highest LTA with
181%. Stations in Dublin and its
surrounding counties attributed
a quarter or more of their
monthly totals to the heavy
rainfall on the 24th. Malahide
Castle reported two-thirds of its
monthly total of 106.8 mm on
this date with 70.5 mm, reporting
both the 24th and its monthly
total as its highest since 1975 (37
years). Nearby, Dublin
(Ringsend) recorded a fall of 43.9
mm on the 24th, its highest
September daily fall since 1945
(67 years). Extremely dry
conditions were recorded along
the south coast with LTAs as low
as 5% at Ballineen (Carbery), Co.
Cork with just 5.7 mm of rain, its
driest September since opening
in 1994 (18 years). Others in the
area reported it as the driest
since 1986 (26 years). Monthly
accumulations in
non-mountainous regions (areas
below 200m) ranged up to 261.1
mm at Ardnawark (Barnesmore),
Co. Donegal, with the highest
accumulation at Glentornan
Mountains (Grogan More), Co.
Donegal with 313.9 mm. Both
sites recorded it as their wettest
September since 1985 (27 years).
The number of wetdays
(days with
1 mm or more of rainfall)
were mainly
below average in parts of the South,
Southeast and East and above
average elsewhere. Number of days
ranged from 2 at Ballineen (Carbery)
Co. Cork to 27 at Derryhenny and
Creeslough, Co. Donegal.
10
RAINFALL
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK) 38.2 55 12.2 24 15 9
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE 84.3 106 29.4 24 21 14
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT 61.9 82 9.9 10 19 16 CARRON 148.9 109 17.3 30 28 19
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT 12.9 15 3.6 30 13 5 FERMOY (MOOREPARK) 23.7 30 5.0 10 16 8 CORK AIRPORT 23.2 25 4.6 10 15 6 SHERKIN ISLAND 25.6 28 5.8 30 20 9
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 22.8 22 4.8 10 11 8
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD 139.7 145 20.2 20 23 18 GLENTIES HATCHERY not available BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 126.3 128 27.6 10 25 17
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 82.6 137 32.6 24 16 11
DUBLIN AIRPORT 83.9 141 38.7 24 18 7 CASEMENT AERODROME 89.7 149 40.0 24 18 11 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 88.7 153 40.4 24 16 9
CO. GALWAY
MAAM VALLEY 191.2 90 52.7 29 24 19
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 76.1 61 10.9 9 25 21
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 76.5 85 14.3 10 22 17
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNTRUSSELL 61.8 61 16.9 10 22 17
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET 93.0 91 20.2 24 25 19
STRAIDE 109.8 110 26.8 29 19 15 KNOCK AIRPORT 87.5 79 15.8 29 22 17
DELPHI LODGE 240.9 38.7 24 24 24
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN 79.0 110 26.8 24 20 12
CO. MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE) 58.3 81 19.8 24 20 13
CO. OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH 73.8 100 14.8 24 19 14
CO. ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON 64.0 81 15.1 24 20 13
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON 76.3 87 14.9 24 21 17
CO. TIPPERARY
GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE) 58.5 78 9.6 24 21 13 FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 37.9 49 10.0 10 19 9
CO. WATERFORD
WATERFORD (TYCOR) 21.8 26 6.6 9 11 6
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 20.4 22 6.8 10 13 8
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR 62.3 80 15.4 24 20 13
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 32.9 38 6.6 25 15 8 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 39.4 47 10.0 10 13 9
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 36.9 10.4 25 13 9
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 77.8 102 24.1 24 14 9
WET IN PARTS
;
EXTREMELY
DRY ALONG PARTS OF THE
SOUTH COAST
SEPTEMBER2012
TOTAL % OF NUMBER OF
AMOUNT 1981-2010 MOST IN RAINDAYS WETDAYS
(mm) AVERAGE A DAY/ DATE (>0.2mm) (>1mm)
COUNTY
/
STATION*
11
RAINFALL
SEPTEMBER2012
PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL RAINFALL
(
1981-2010
NORMALS)VALENTIA OBSERVATORY DUBLIN AIRPORT BELMULLET
DAILY
09-09hr
RAINFALL VALUES
(mm)
TOTAL RAINFALL
(mm)
0 - 25 % 25 - 50 % 50 - 75% 75 - 100% 100 - 125 % 125 - 150 % 150 - 175 % 175 - 200 % 0 - 100 mm
12
TEMPERATURE
Mean air temperatures were below average
everywhere with temperatures nearest their LTAs
in the South and Southwest. Mean temperatures
were as much as -1.1°C below normal at Dundalk
(Annaskeagh), Co. Louth and Ballyhaise, Co.
Cavan, reporting their coldest September since
1994 (18 years) and 2008 (4 years), respectively.
Mean temperatures ranged from 11.5°C at Slieve
Bloom Mts. (Nealstown), Co. Laois to 14.1°C at
Dooks, Co. Kerry, both their highest since 2008
(4 years). Stations in parts of Dublin, Donegal
and the Southeast had their coldest September
since 1994 (18 years), with most other places
reporting colder conditions in 2008.
Mean maximum temperatures were below average in
parts of Dublin, Wicklow, Cork and Roscommon.
Highest maxima were mainly recorded during the
high pressure period at the start of the month and
ranged between 17.1°C at Mace Head and 24.7°C
Springfield Castle, Co. Limerick, its highest during
September since 2004 (8 years). Wexford Wildfowl
Reserve’s maximum of 21.8°C had the longest length
of record exceeded and its highest maximum since
1999 (13 years). Most stations reported below
average mean minimum temperatures with the
majority of lowest minima recorded on the 22nd. In
parts of the Midlands, East and Northwest, minima
fell below zero degrees, with most affected sites
reporting their lowest minima in five years. Lowest
minima in areas in and around Dublin reported
lowest September minima in 20 to 40 years, with
Dublin Airport reporting its lowest since the station
opened in 1942 (70 years). Lowest minima ranged
from -0.8°C at Mount Dillon, Co. Roscommon, its
lowest since 2007 (5 years) to 7.8°C at Sherkin Island.
BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
EVERYWHERE
SEPTEMBER2012
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
MEAN TEMPERATURE
(°C)
(DIFFERENCE FROM
1981-2010
NORMALS)TEMPERA
TURE
(°C)
HOURLY TEMPERATURES SEPTEMBER
2012
13
TEMPERATURE
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK) 16.7 9.1 12.9 -0.8 22.3 3 2.0 22 -2.5 22 0 2
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE 15.5 8.7 12.1 -1.1 21.1 7 0.3 22 -2.3 22 0 1
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT 16.4 10.5 13.5 -0.7 21.1 3 4.7 22 2.6 22 0 0 CARRON 15.5 9.4 12.5 -0.4 20.7 3 4.2 23 -2.2 19 0 4
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT 16.2 10.6 13.4 -0.7 19.9 2 6.8 22 3.5 5 0 0 FERMOY (MOOREPARK) 16.9 8.6 12.8 -0.5 21.7 3 2.0 19 -0.9 19 0 1 CORK AIRPORT 16.2 9.6 12.9 -0.4 20.6 2 6.1 11 -0.2 19 0 1 SHERKIN ISLAND 16.1 11.6 13.9 -0.4 19.6 4 7.8 22 2.3 19 0 0 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 17.2 8.5 12.9 -0.2 21.7 3 6 4.0 22 3.7 22 0 0
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD 15.3 10.5 12.9 -0.4 20.7 3 4.2 22 1.1 23 0 0 GLENTIES HATCHERY 15.5 8.9 12.2 -0.6 20.9 8 0.1 22 -2.6 22 0 2 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 15.5 10.1 12.8 -0.4 20.6 8 2.0 22 0
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 17.1 9.0 13.1 -0.2 23.1 3 1.7 22 -3.0 22 0 3 DUBLIN AIRPORT 16.2 8.8 12.5 -0.9 22.2 3 0.5 22 -3.7 22 0 2 CASEMENT AERODROME 16.2 8.8 12.5 -0.8 22.0 3 -0.2 22 -2.5 22 1 2 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 16.5 10.2 13.4 -0.9 22.7 3 3.8 23 0
CO. GALWAY
MAAM VALLEY 16.0 10.0 13.0 -0.4 19.9 7 4.1 22 1.2 22 0 0
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 16.0 11.0 13.5 -0.4 18.2 5 7.1 19 4.2 26 0 0 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 16.9 10.4 13.7 -0.1 21.1 3 5.5 22 4.3 6 19 0 0
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNTRUSSELL 16.0 9.5 12.8 -0.4 22.6 3 5.0 22 0.9 22 0 0
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET 15.3 10.6 13.0 -0.6 18.2 3 4.8 21 1.5 21 22 0 0 STRAIDE 16.2 9.1 12.7 -0.2 20.0 7 0.4 22 -4.6 22 0 2 KNOCK AIRPORT 14.3 8.5 11.4 -0.7 18.1 7 4.1 22 1.8 22 0 0 DELPHI LODGE 15.5 10.6 13.1 18.6 5 6.1 22 4.0 22 0 0
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN 16.7 8.9 12.8 -0.4 22.8 3 0.2 22 -3.5 22 0 2
CO. MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE) 16.2 8.1 12.2 -0.6 22.1 3 0.2 23 -1.6 22 23 0 3
CO. OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH 16.7 8.2 12.5 -0.3 23.5 3 1.5 22 -3.1 22 0 2
CO. ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON 16.1 8.4 12.3 -0.7 20.7 7 -0.8 22 -4.2 22 1 3
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON 16.3 10.4 13.4 -0.4 21.5 8 4.0 22 0.0 22 0 0
CO. TIPPERARY
GURTEEN 15.7 8.9 12.3 -0.9 20.0 9 2.9 22 -2.0 22 0 2 FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 16.3 7.8 12.1 -0.6 23.0 3 3.5 22 2.0 22 0 0
CO. WATERFORD
WATERFORD (TYCOR) 17.3 9.8 13.6 -0.3 22.6 2 5.3 19 0 DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 17.8 9.6 13.7 -0.2 22.5 2 4.2 19 22 2.5 19 0 0
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR 15.9 8.5 12.2 -0.6 21.9 3 0.2 22 -4.5 22 0 3
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 16.0 9.9 13.0 -0.8 22.4 2 5.9 22 3.4 13 0 0 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 16.7 8.9 12.8 -0.7 22.2 2 4.0 19 0.2 29 0 0 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 16.6 8.6 12.6 -0.2 21.5 2 1.8 22 -0.5 22 0 1
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 17.3 9.0 13.2 -0.4 22.7 3 2.8 22 -2.9 22 0 3
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*
SEPTEMBER2012
14
SUNSHINE
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT 4.00 108 31 11.3 6
CO. CORK
CORK AIRPORT 4.93 119 39 11.2 5 SHERKIN ISLAND 4.72 101 37 11.0 5 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 4.61 105 11.1 5
CO. DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON (CATHLEEN'S FALL) 4.03 123 31 9.4 5
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT 5.27 123 41 10.6 6
CASEMENT AERODROME 4.53 111 36 11.0 6
CO. GALWAY
GALWAY (UNIV.COLLEGE) 3.97 98 31 10.7 5
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 3.85 107 30 9.9 18 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 4.80 116 38 10.8 6
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET 3.68 92 29 9.2 5 STRAIDE 4.19 110 8.8 21 KNOCK AIRPORT 4.08 116 10.1 21
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 4.95 111 39 10.5 5
CO. WEXFORD
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 4.73 109 37 10.7 6 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 4.89 10.1 5
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 5.31 117 11.2 5
ABOVE AVERAGE SUNSHINE
NEARLY EVERYWHERE
Sunshine totals were above average almost
everywhere except in a few isolated areas
in the North and West. Number of
sunshine hours were lowest at Newport,
Co. Mayo with 94.9 hours and highest at
Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse.), Co. Wicklow
with 160.5 hours. Percentage of average
values ranged from 92% at Belmullet to
123% at Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal and
Dublin Airport, which had its brightest
September since 1996 (16 years). The
month’s sunniest day was at Arklow
(Ballyrichard Hse.) on the 6th with 11.4
hours, with the second highest of 11.3
hours at Shannon Airport, its joint highest
September daily sunshine 1986 (26 years).
Global solar radiation totals were below
average in the West and North and above
average elsewhere. Percentage values ranged
from 95% at Belmullet and Malin Head to
110% at Dublin Airport.
DAILY MEAN % OF % OF MOST IN
(HOURS/DAY) 1981-2010 POSSIBLE A
AVERAGE DAY/DATE
COUNTY
/
STATION*
DAILY SUNSHINE VALUES
(HOURS)
TOTAL SUNSHINE
(PERCENTAGE OF
1981-2010
NORMALS)SEPTEMBER2012
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY DUBLIN AIRPORT BELMULLET
* TABLE REPRESENTS SUNSHINE DATA
FROM A SELECTION OF
CLIMATOLOGICAL STATIONS.
HOURLY SEA TEMPERATURE AND WAVE CONDITIONS ATM6 (53°03.6’N, 15.°55.8’W)
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Mean sea level pressure values were between
1012hPa in the North to 1016 hPa in the
South. At the start of the month a high
pressure system moved across the North
Atlantic Ocean resulting in the month’s
highest maximum pressure value of 1032.4
hPa at Shannon Airport on the 5th. The
lowest minimum pressure value of 983.8 hPa
was recorded at Dublin Airport on the 25th
when a deep depression situated over the
UK moved across the Irish Sea.
MARINE & PRESSURE
SEPTEMBER2012
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 14.9 14.6 28.6 1.2 3.6
M3 15.1 12.7 26.9 2.5 4.7
M4 not available
M5 not available
M6 14.6 16.7 32.0 3.0 6.1
MALIN 14.5
HEAD
M6
t
M5
l
MALIN HEADM4
t
t
M2
M3
t
15
SUMMARY OF MEAN MONTHLY VALUES
HOURLY MEAN SEA LEVEL PRESSURE SEPTEMBER
2012
PRESSURE
(hP
a)
METRES
°C
KNO
TS
DEGREES FROM NOR
TH
WIND DIRECTION
M6
WIND SPEED
SEA TEMPERATURE
WAVE HEIGHT
MALIN HEAD VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
16
WORLD WEATHER
GLOBAL WEATHER
HIGHLIGHTS OF
THE MONTH
a.In New York, two tornadoes touched down on Long Island on September 8th causing minor
structural damage to homes and buildings in Queens, while overturning cars in Brooklyn.
Torrential rains in southern Spain on September 28th resulted in flash flooding, which claimed at least 10 lives and forced evacuation of 600 residents, according to
media reports. Up to 245 mm of precipitation inundated the Murcia region, particularly the provinces of Malaga
and Almeria, where the rains washed out bridges and roads, overturned cars, and disrupted rail services. Farmland was damaged and numerous livestock (pigs,
horses, donkeys and hens) perished.
In the Republic of Niger, floods resulted in 88 deaths, the loss of over 24,000 homes, and affected over 511,000 people. Heavy rains in
mid-September caused breaching of the Lagdo Dam and swelled the Benue River in northern Cameroon, which resulted in up to 40 deaths, nearly 3,000 injuries and impacted more than
26,000 residents.
SEPTEMBER2012
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL
(PERCENTAGE OF
1961-1990NORMAL)SEPTEMBER MEAN
TEMPERATURE
(
DIFFERENCE FROM1961-1990 NORMAL)
DATA SUPPLIED BYNOAA
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTRE,
US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
400 200 150 125 100 75 50 25 0
+7
+5
+3
+1
-1
-3
-5
-7
°C
Typhoon Jelawat (Sept 20th to Oct 1st), which originated east of Guam and veered northeast of Taiwan to make two landfalls in Japan, resulted in seven deaths and at least 180
injuries, according to media reports. The 17th typhoon to strike Japan in 2012, the heavy rains
and strong winds resulted in widespread power outages and disrupted transportation services.