Monthly Weather Bulletin January 2008

(1)

Low pressure was the dominant

influence on Ireland’s weather

during most of January, with

frequent deep Atlantic depressions

passing close to or over the country.

Heavy rain and strong winds were

recorded on many days, while the

predominantly southwesterly

airstream kept temperatures above

normal for much of the month.

Rainfall totals were above normal

everywhere and it was a particularly

wet month in parts of the south and

west. It was the wettest January for

between 9 and 20 years in many

places, while Shannon Airport’s total

of 221mm was its highest for January

since the station opened in 1945.

Between 16 and 25 wetdays (days

with 1mm or more rainfall) were

measured during the month; most of

these were in the period between the

4th and 23rd, when serious flooding

developed in parts of the south and

west. Mean monthly air

temperatures were between one and

two degrees higher than normal,

despite a spell of relatively cold

Monthlyy Weather

Bulletin

N

No

o.. 2

26

61

1 JANUARY 2008

W

WET AND WINDY FOR MOST OF MONTH;;

MILD AND MAINLY DULL

Although January was a mild month overall, snow showers were widespread early in the month, giving accumulations in places. Pictured above is a scene near Ashbourne, Co. Meath, on the morning of the 4th. (picture courtesy Brendan Dollard)

INSIDE

Flooding in south after Flooding in south after

heavy rain- heavy rain- page 3page 3

Wind &

Elements ...

4

4 Marine &

Marine &

Pr

essure ...

essur

e ...

5

5 Agmet /La

Agmet /Lab

b...

...

6

6 Diary ...

Diary ...

8

8 R

Rainf

ainfall ...

all ...

10

10 T

Temper

emper

atur

a

tur

e ...

12

12 Sunshine ...

Sunshine ...

14

14 W

W

orld

or

ld

W

eather ..15

ea

ther ..15

Much warmer than Much warmer than normal month over normal month over northern Europe northern Europe

Notes on

the ta

b

les ...

16

Produced by Met Éireann, Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9. Annual subscription 80 euro

For more information-tel: +353-1-8064260 fax: +353-1-8064216 [email protected]

www.met.ie/climate

(2)

weather between the 3rd and 8th.

There was a total of between 4 and 8

air frosts at inland stations, compared

with between 9 and 11 in an average

January. Sunshine totals were below

normal except in the south and it was

the dullest January for between 10 and

12 years at several stations.

1st to 3rd:

A very mild southerly

airstream covered the country at first,

later backing to a much colder easterly

direction. This period was mainly dry and

A cold front associated with a depression of 980hPa just north of

Ireland moved across the country on the 8th. This front brought a

band of heavy and thundery rain during the afternoon, clearing the

east coast shortly after dark. A dramatic fall in temperature of up to

eight degrees within the space of 30 minutes accompanied the passage

of the front in some places (see charts below), while winds veered from

a southerly to a westerly direction within the same period, later

backing southwesterly. Heavy wintry showers followed behind the

front, heaviest and most frequent in the western half of the country.

Strong winds spread throughout the northern half of the country

during the evening, reaching extreme levels in the north and

northwest. A gust of 91 knots (168km/h) with a mean speed of 62

knots (115km/h) was recorded at Malin Head just after midnight on

the 9th; this was

the highest gust at

the station since

December 1998

and the highest

January gust

there since

1968.

2 WEATHER

January 2008

Active cold front over Ireland on 8th

Rainfall radar image at 1545UTC on 8th

Minute-aaveraged data at

Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, on 8th Rainfall radar image at 1615UTC on 8th

Synoptic chart at 1200UTC on 8th

Mean windspeeds (red) and gusts (green)- knots

Wind direction (degrees from south)

Temperature (°C)

00 06 12 18 24 HOUR

30

20

10

240

210

180

10

8

6

4 57

23

9.2

3.7

1.5

0.6

0.3

0.1

(3)

cloudy, but there was patchy rain in

northern areas at first, while wintry

showers developed in the east on the 3rd.

4th to 23rd:

A spell of very unsettled

weather, as frontal systems brought rain or

showers each day. Although individual

daily falls were not exceptionally high,

rainfall values of between 10 and 25mm

were widely recorded on many days.

Around 200mm fell within this period in

parts of Munster and Connacht, bringing

significant river flooding. Thunderstorms

were also frequent and they were

widespread in southern areas on the 4th

and 17th. Falls of sleet or snow were

recorded early in the period as

temperatures fell below normal, but milder

conditions returned from the 12th

onwards. There were sunny spells at times,

but most of the period was dull.

Southwest to westerly winds reached gale

force on several days and were particularly

strong between the 4th and 9th.

24th to 28th:

An anticyclone centred to

the southeast of Ireland brought a short

spell of quieter weather. Rainfall amounts

during this period were small except near

the north and northwest coast, while long

sunny spells developed in many places on

both the 24th and 27th. Temperatures

were well above normal in a light to

moderate south to southwesterly airstream.

29th to 31st:

A cold front moving

southeastwards on the 29th brought some

heavy rain and introduced a much colder

westerly airstream, later veering

northwesterly. Wintry showers developed

in western areas on the 30th and became

heavier and more widespread on the 31st.

Wind and elements:

Mean windspeeds

for the month were above normal

generally, varying between 8 knots

(14km/h) at some inland stations and 18

knots (33km/h) at Malin Head. The highest

gust, 91 knots (168km/h), was measured at

Malin Head just after midnight on the 9th;

this was the highest gust at the station

since December 1998 and the highest

January gust there since 1968. There was

thunderstorm activity, mainly in the south

and west, in the periods 3rd to 5th and 7th

to 9th and on the 17th, 23rd, 24th and

31st. Hail showers were recorded in the

periods 3rd to 10th, 23rd to 24th and 29th

to 31st, while snow was recorded between

the 3rd and 9th and on the 23rd and 31st.

Fog was most widespread on the 4th,

11th/12th and 15th.

3 WEATHER

January 2008

Below

After a very wet December in many areas, further spells of heavy rain during January brought severe river flooding in parts of the midlands, west and south. The rivers Lee, Blackwater and Barrow caused significant flooding after bursting their banks, with the towns of Fermoy, Mitchelstown and Athy particularly affected. Pictured below are the flooded Lee Fields in Cork on the 13th.

(4)

4 WIND & ELEMENTS

P

ERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 11.4 250° 40 6/23 260° 61 6/2245 2 14 71 2 1 4 3 1

CO. CORK

CORK AIRPORT 12.0 250° 33 8/19 210° 69 4/1150 0 16 83 1 0 1 1 9

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 18.4 250° 65 9/01 250° 91 9/0032 11 23 221 4 1 9 1 1

CO. DUBLIN

CASEMENT AERODROME 14.3 220° 39 31/03 210° 58 31/0201 2 18 123 4 1 1 1 0

DUBLIN AIRPORT 14.6 260° 43 7/03 260° 56 7/0158 3 18 126 3 0 1 0 0

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 14.0 270° 38 8/18 270° 53 6/2321 4 22 158 1 0 12 3 0

270° 53 7/0031

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 8.5 250° 30 7/01 260° 48 7/0036 0 11 26 n/a 0 n/a

----CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 15.2 200° 49 8/18 250° 73 23/2302 5 19 233 4 0 12 3 0

KNOCK AIRPORT 11.8 240° 33 8/20 270° 56 24/0448 0 17 91 5 1 3 0 16

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 9.2 210° 30 31/02 210° 44 31/0104 0 8 32 n/a 0 n/a

----CO. OFFALY

BIRR 9.3 240° 26 6/24 240° 47 6/2231 0 9 23 n/a 0 n/a

----CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 8.6 260° 25 7/01 260° 48 7/0056 0 7 21 n/a 1 n/a

----CO. WEXFORD

ROSSLARE 12.1 200° 30 4/14 210° 57 31/0441 0 21 138 n/a 0 n/a

----180° 30 8/16

W

IND

((

KNOTS

))

E

LE

EME

ENTS

County /

Station

Valentia Observatory

Dublin Airport

N

NE

NW

SW

W

SE

_SE

NE

N

E

S

E

S

Calm: 0.0%

_{Calm: 0.0%}

2% 4%

6% 8%

2% 4%

6% 8%

January 2008

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 MARINE & PRESSURE

HHoouurrllyy w

wiinndd aanndd w

waavvee ccoonnddiittiioonnss aatt M

M33 ((5511°°2222’’NN,, 1100°°5555’’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

13 12 11 10 9 8 50 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 January varied

between 1002hPa in the north and 1009hPa in the

south, between 3 and 7hPa below normal. Pressure

was below normal during the first half of the month

and at the end, but values were above normal during

most of the second half. Belmullet measured the

month’s lowest pressure of 971.0hPa on the 15th, as

a depression moved close to the northwest coast.

The highest value of the month, 1035.1hPa, was

recorded at Cork Airport on the 27th.

M

Meeaann ddaaiillyy M

Meeaann SSeeaa LLeevveell pprreessssuurree

(hPa)

mm

ee

ttrr

ee

ss

12 10 8 6 4 2 0

970 980 990 1000 1010 1020 1030 1040

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

—

•

—_{Valentia Observatory} —

•

—_{Malin Head} January 2008

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

M6

_M5

z

Malin Head

M4

M2

M3

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

temp. speed wind height height

(°C) (knots) (knots) (m.) (m.)

M2 10.1 21.0 49 1.8 4.2

M3 11.6 22.9 41 4.9 8.4

M4 10.7 23.0 57 4.6 10.3

M5 10.1 20.1 38 2.3 4.1

M6 11.9 21.3 40 5.4 11.7

(6)

6 AGMET / LABORATORY

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 6.2 6.7 7.2 CARRON 6.4 6.7

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 6.4 6.7 7.0 CORK AIRPORT 5.9 6.4 7.2 SHERKIN ISLAND 8.6 9.0 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 5.6 6.1 6.6

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 5.6 6.4 7.3

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT 5.0 5.4 5.9 CASEMENT AERODROME 5.2 5.7 6.4

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 7.6 8.1 8.9

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 5.0 5.5 6.1

CO. LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL 6.2 6.5

CO. LOUTH

ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE) 5.5 5.7 5.7

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 6.3 7.0 7.6 STRAIDE 5.5 KNOCK AIRPORT 4.1 4.7 5.4

CO. MEATH

WARRENSTOWN 4.7 5.4 5.7

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 4.7 5.1 5.5

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 5.4 6.1 6.8

CO. TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 5.5 6.3

CO. WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 7.0 7.3

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 4.9 5.3 5.7

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 6.1 6.6 6.7 ROSSLARE 6.6 7.1 7.5 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 5.9 6.3 7.5 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 6.2 6.5 7.0

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)

5.6 (+1.5)

4.1

4.7 (+1.2)

6.2 (+1.8)

7.6 (+2.0)

5.0 (+1.4)

6.1 (+1.7)

5.4 (+1.8)

5.9 (+1.4)

4.9 (+1.7)

5.2 (+1.3)

-3/2

-9/1

-10/1

-6/2

-4/3

_-5/3

0/5

-7/2

0/4

0/2

-5/2

-10/4

6.3 (+1.5)

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 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 0 200 400 600 800 1000 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

January 2008

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

(7)

7 AGMET

January 2008

M

EEAASSUURREEDD

P

OOTTEENNTTIIAALL

E

VVAAPPOOTTRRAANNSSPPIIRRAATTIIOONN

((P

P..E

E..))

A

ANNDD

S

OOIILL

M

OOIISSTTUURREE

County/ P.E. (mm) Soil Moisture (mm) Station Period Amount Deficit Accum’ltd Deficit Surplus

M

OONNTTHHLLYY

E

VVAAPPOORRAATTIIOONN

((

MMMM

))

FFRROOMM

C

LLAASSSS

A

A P

P

AANN

County Station Monthly Monthly Rainfall (mm) Evaporation (mm)

Clare Kilmaley n/a n/a

Cork Fermoy (Moorepark) 153.9 13.3

Kerry Valentia Observatory 276.2 41.6

Kildare Poulaphuca 154.5 4.6

Mayo Newport (Furnace) 227.0 0.0

Offaly Derrygreenagh 136.4 5.7

Waterford Dungarvan (Carriglea) 166.2 11.9

Wexford Johnstown Castle 125.7 17.0

P

P..E

E..

(Penman)

County/ total for Station month(mm)

G

LLOOBBAALL

S

OOLLAARR

R

AADDIIAATTIIOONN

(MJ/sq. m.)

10-day totals Total for 1-10 11-20 21-end month

SE

EEE BBAACCKK PPAAGGEE FFOORR NNOOTTEESS OONN TTHHEE DDAATTAA Co. Kerry

1-10 Valentia Obs. 11-20

21-end

month Co. Wexford

1-10 Johnstown Castle 11-20 21-end

month

30.3 - 0 77 10.8 - 0 89 11.9 - 0 50

53.0

11.2 - 0 51 0.0 - 0 50 3.7 - 0 17

14.9

Co.Clare

Shannon Airport

Co.Cork

Cork Airport

Co.Donegal

Malin Head

Co.Dublin

Dublin Airport Casement Aerodrome

Co Kerry

Valentia Obs.

Co.Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Co.Mayo

Belmullet Knock Airport

Co.Monaghan

Clones

Co.Offaly

Birr

Co.Westmeath

Mullingar

Co.Wexford

Rosslare

11 0 19 11 15 21

2 6 3 1 5 2 n/a

13.33 14.73 18.02 46.08 20.00 18.00 32.19 70.18

19.15 23.03 31.15 73.33 20.14 19.21 36.47 75.82 17.74 19.34 22.29 59.37

20.97 15.33 21.46 57.76 18.99 18.80 30.70 68.49

Co. Cavan 1-10 38.8 - 7 5 7.5 1.5 4.5 - -3.5 4 2 14 0 -4.5 4 4 - - 22.1 - Cavan (Loreto) 11-20 76.1 - 9 9 9.7 2.0 5.9 - -2.5 11 2 23 2 -6.0 11 3 - - 4.9 - 21-end 39.0 - 8 7 10.6 3.9 7.3 - -0.5 30 1 36 4 -4.5 22 3 - - 13.4 -

month 153.9 - 24 21 9.3 2.5 5.9 - -3.5 4 5 74 6 -6.0 11 10 - - 40.4 - Co. Cork 1-10 84.1 - 8 8 8.7 2.1 5.4 - -5.4 4 2 21 1 -9.8 4 8 5.2 6.3 15.2 - Fermoy 11-20 37.2 - 9 8 11.2 4.5 7.9 - -0.5 12 1 38 5 -6.0 12 6 6.5 6.6 16.0 -

21-end 32.6 - 7 7 11.1 4.8 8.0 - -1.0 30 1 43 6 -6.1 30 6 7.4 8.0 31.2 -

month 153.9 132 24 23 10.3 3.8 7.1 2.5 -5.4 4 4 102 12 -9.8 4 20 6.4 7.0 62.4 134

Co. Donegal 1-10 42.1 - 7 7 7.1 1.5 4.3 - -4.6 4 4 12 0 -6.9 4 7 - - - - Glenties 11-20 81.2 - 10 9 8.9 2.3 5.6 - -1.1 12 2 19 1 -2.5 12 5 - - - - 21-end 81.2 - 10 8 10.0 4.3 7.2 - -0.4 22 1 35 3 -1.9 22 3 - - - -

month 204.5 125 27 24 8.7 2.7 5.7 1.6 -4.6 4 7 67 4 -6.9 4 15 - - - -

Co. Kerry 1-10 76.1 - 8 8 8.3 3.1 5.7 - -3.5 4 1 20 0 -11.3 4 8 - - n/a - Ardfert 11-20 79.0 - 10 10 10.9 5.4 8.2 - 0.4 12 0 40 4 -5.1 11 3 - - n/a - 21-end 57.0 - 8 7 11.4 6.6 9.0 - 3.1 30 0 51 7 -3.5 30 4 - - n/a -

month 212.1 - 26 25 10.2 5.1 7.7 - -3.5 4 1 111 11 -11.3 4 15 - - n/a -

Co. Louth 1-10 51.1 - 7 6 7.1 2.1 4.6 - -2.5 4 2 14 0 -6.0 4 7 4.3 5.1 - - Ardee 11-20 48.0 - 9 7 9.3 3.2 6.3 - -1.7 12 2 25 1 -2.5 12 3 5.3 5.3 - -

21-end 16.4 - 7 5 10.4 4.2 7.3 - -0.7 22 1 36 4 -1.2 30 4 6.8 6.7 - -

month 115.5 133 23 18 8.9 3.2 6.1 - -2.5 4 5 75 5 -6.0 4 14 5.5 5.7 - -

Co. Waterford 1-10 84.0 - 9 7 9.5 1.7 5.6 - -5.0 4 4 22 1 -8.0 4 5 - 6.3 16.6 - Dungarvan 11-20 61.0 - 9 9 11.1 4.3 7.7 - -0.9 12 2 38 6 -2.0 12 3 - 7.1 11.1 - 21-end 21.2 - 8 5 11.4 5.4 8.4 - 0.6 27 0 47 6 -1.2 30 2 - 8.3 34.0 -

month 166.2 - 26 21 10.7 3.9 7.3 - -5.0 4 6 107 13 -8.0 4 10 - 7.3 61.7 118

Co. Wexford 1-10 55.9 - 7 5 8.7 2.9 5.8 - -4.4 4 2 22 1 -7.8 4 5 4.7 5.7 15.3 - Johnstown Castle 11-20 53.0 - 9 8 10.3 4.7 7.5 - -0.2 12 1 34 3 -4.2 12 5 6.4 6.5 8.8 - 21-end 16.8 - 7 4 10.8 5.4 8.1 - 1.3 30 0 43 4 -1.8 30 1 7.0 7.8 24.6 -

month 125.7 116 23 17 9.9 4.4 7.2 2.2 -4.4 4 3 99 7 -7.8 4 11 6.1 6.7 48.7 88

S

Stta

attiio

on

n

period

RAINFALL

TEMPERATURE

(°C)

SUNSHINE

(MM) (HOURS)

10-

DAY VALUES FOR SELECTED

A

GROMETEOROLOGICAL

S

TATIONS

(8)

Tuesday 1st:Patches of light rain and drizzle in all areas overnight. Dry conditions in the south spread slowly northwards during the morning. Further light rain affected the southwest by evening. Mild and cloudy. Winds were light southerly, backing southeasterly and increasing to moderate by evening.

Rainfall: nil to 3mm, heaviest at Claremorris

Temperature: max. 10°C to 12°C, min. 6°C to 10°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to trace

Wednesday 2nd:Cloudy during the day with just a few brief sunny periods. A little drizzle or light rain in southern areas and along western coasts, with occasional light showers in the Dublin area. Becoming cooler by evening. Winds were southeasterly, light to moderate at first, strengthening to gale force during the day, backing more easterly during the evening.

Rainfall: nil to trace generally, 3mm at Cork Airport, 2mm at Valentia Temperature: max. 6°C to 11°C, min. 3°C to 7°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Knock Airport

Thursday 3rd:The morning was mostly dry and very cold with isolated showers. During the afternoon, wintry showers occured in the northeast and east with some heavy falls in places. Frost developed in all areas early in the evening, while snow showers continued in the east and northeast. Winds were southeasterly, strong and gusty, becoming light by evening.

Rainfall: nil to 3mm, heaviest at Cork Airport

Temperature: max. 3°C to 8°C, min. -4°C to 2°C, ground temperatures below zero at all stations, down to -11°C at Birr

Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Belmullet, nil at Cork Airport

Friday 4th:Snow showers in east Ulster and north Leinster during the early hours. Heavy rain moved into western areas during the morning, crossing the country by mid-afternoon, followed by showers. These were heavy in the western half of the country, with hail and thunder in places. Cold and mostly cloudy, with some brief sunny breaks. Winds were light and variable in direction, increasing fresh to strong in the west.

Rainfall: trace to 27mm, heaviest at Valentia, trace at Dublin Airport

Temperature: max. 4°C to 10°C, min. -6°C to -2°C, ground temperatures below zero at all stations, down to -12°C at Birr

Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Knock Airport

Saturday 5th:Cold and windy overnight with scattered showers, some wintry along Atlantic coasts. Continuing cold and very windy during the day with scattered showers and sunny spells. Some of the showers were heavy and thundery and some were wintry, particularly along Atlantic coasts. Winds were fresh to strong southwesterly, reaching gale force at times in the northwest.

Rainfall: nil to 15mm, heaviest at Malin Head, nil at Rosslare

Temperature: max. 6°C to 10°C, min. 0°C to 6°C, ground temperatures down to -3°C at Cork Airport

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

Sunday 6th:Cold overnight with showers in the west and north. Rain spread from the southwest during the afternoon, affecting all areas by evening, heavy in places. Some sunny spells. The rain moved northwards throughout the evening and was largely confined to northern areas by night. Winds were southwesterly, strong and gusty in the north, moderate elsewhere.

Rainfall: 2 to 13mm, heaviest at Knock Airport, 2mm at Casement Aerodrome Temperature: max. 3°C to 10°C, min. -2°C to 4°C, ground temperatures down to -7°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: trace to 3 hours, sunniest at Mullingar

Monday 7th:Very windy overnight with heavy rain and storm conditions over much of the country. Some snow showers also, mainly on high ground. Remaining very windy throughout the day with scattered showers in most places, easing somewhat during the evening. A few sunny spells. Some slight to sharp frost in places during night hours. Winds were southwest to westerly, up to strong gale force with storm force gusts during the night.

Rainfall: nil to 13mm, heaviest at Malin Head, nil at Rosslare

Temperature: max. 6°C to 10°C, min. 1°C to 6°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 2 to 4 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 2 hours at Malin Head

Tuesday 8th:Rain near Atlantic coasts overnight, becoming heavy by dawn. The rain quickly crossed the country, clearing the Ulster coast around noon. Another spell of heavy rain moved into the southwest and west; this rain

crossed the country during the afternoon, clearing the east shortly after dark. Heavy wintry showers followed during the evening, heaviest in the west. Mostly cloudy. Winds were moderate southeasterly, backing southwesterly during the afternoon and increasing, reaching storm force in the west.

Rainfall: 8 to 20mm, heaviest at Claremorris, 8mm at Roches Point Temperature: max. 6°C to 11°C, min. 1°C to 4°C ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Dublin Airport

Wednesday 9th: Heavy rain and showers of hail, sleet or snow overnight. Showers continued during the morning, but rain returned to become persistent and heavy in places during the afternoon. A few sunny spells during the day. Winds were southwesterly, moderate to strong, up to storm force in the north, easing during the evening.

Rainfall: 1 to 29mm, heaviest at Valentia, 1mm at Clones

Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Clones, nil at Valentia

Thursday 10th:Rain in the southwest spread northeastwards to the rest of Munster and Leinster overnight, heavy and persistent at times. Scattered showers further north, some wintry. The rain cleared eastwards during the morning and it was a day with well-scattered showers and sunny spells generally. Winds were southwesterly, light to moderate, gusty around coasts.

Rainfall: trace to 18mm, heaviest at Roches Point, trace at Malin Head Temperature: max. 6°C to 11°C, min. -1°C to 4°C, ground temperatures down to -6°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 1 to 5 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 1 hour at Malin Head

Friday 11th:A cold, sunny day in most areas, however fog persisted all day in some inland parts, keeping the temperature here near freezing. There were light showers near Atlantic coasts during the evening. Winds were light and variable at first, becoming generally westerly through the day and remaining light.

Rainfall: nil to 3mm, heaviest at Belmullet

Temperature: max. 2°C to 9°C, min. -3°C to 4 °C, ground temperatures below zero at most stations, down to -8°C at Claremorris

Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Valentia, nil at Clones

Saturday 12th: Frost was slow to clear during the morning. Rain in the southwest during the late morning extended slowly countrywide and persisted in most areas throughout the day. A few sunny intervals. Winds were southwesterly, light initially, increasing during the day and backing south to southeasterly, up to gale force in many areas.

Rainfall: 2 to 17mm, heaviest at Valentia, 2mm at Malin Head Temperature: max. 9°C to 12°C, min. -1°C to 7°C, ground temperatures down to -7°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 2 hours, sunniest at Rosslare

Sunday 13th: Continuing very unsettled overnight and during the day with rain or showers, heavy and persistent in places. Just a few sunny spells. Winds were southerly, moderate to fresh, up to gale force at times, easing during the afternoon and evening, eventually falling light.

Rainfall: <1 to 11mm, heaviest at Ballyhaise (Cavan), <1mm at Knock Airport Temperature: max.9°C to 12°C, min. 4°C to 8°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 4 hours, sunniest at Valentia, nil at Rosslare

Monday 14th A band of rain crossed the country during the night,

followed by showers. Some sunshine in the south, cloudier further north. A further spell of rain pushed into the southwest shortly after dark. Winds were moderate, variable in direction, easing during the evening.

Rainfall: 1 to 7mm, heaviest at Shannon Airport, 1mm at Knock Airport Temperature: max. 7°C to 11°C, min. 2°C to 8°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Clones

Sunshine: nil to 3 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, nil at Clones

Tuesday 15th:Rain moved into western areas during the morning and crossed the country during the afternoon. The rain was heavy in Ulster. Heavy showers followed into the west. Winds were moderate, variable in direction.

Rainfall: trace to 9mm, heaviest at Claremorris, trace at Casement Aerodrome Temperature: max. 6°C to 10°C, min. 2°C to 6°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 2 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, nil at Malin Head

(9)

Wednesday 16th: Earlyrain, heavy at times in the north, with heavy thundery showers along the south coast. Mainly dry during the afternoon with some sunny spells. During the evening, a band of rain moved into western areas, giving some heavy falls. Winds were moderate, variable, gusty in the north.

Rainfall: nil to 7mm, heaviest at Malin Head, nil at Mullingar Temperature: max. 6°C to 10° min. 0°C to 6°C, ground temperatures

down to -4°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 4 hours, sunniest at Valentia and Cork Airport, nil at Birr

Thursday 17th:Rain in the northwest early in the night. Very heavy showers in the west during the morning, some with hail and thunder. This pattern continued throughout the afternoon, with showers becoming widespread. Most sunshine in the south. Winds were southwesterly, strong and gusty.

Rainfall: 2 to 12mm, heaviest at Mullingar, 2mm at Johnstown Castle Temperature: max. 8°C to 12° min. 3°C to 6°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: trace to 5 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, trace at Malin Head

Friday 18th: Earlyoutbreaks of heavy rain in the west and southwest moved quickly eastwards across the country, giving significant falls. The rain turned patchy by noon. Further heavy showers in the midlands during the afternoon. Overcast throughout. Winds were southwesterly, moderate to strong and gusty.

Rainfall: 4 to 19mm, heaviest at Knock Airport, 4mm at Roches Point Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 4°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -1°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil

Saturday 19th:A few heavy showers in the midlands at first, otherwise generally dry. A band of more heavy rain moved northwards during the late morning, reaching all but the extreme north by nightfall. Some very heavy falls in the south. Overcast throughout. No frost. Winds were light southwesterly, becoming strong and gusty in the south during the day.

Rainfall: nil to 29mm, heaviest at Valentia, nil at Malin Head Temperature: max. 7°C to 13°C, min 4°C to 10°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil

Sunday 20th:A dull day with rain and drizzle in most parts. Becoming largely dry in Ulster and north Connacht in the afternoon, slightly colder here. The rain returned northwards later in the evening. Winds were southwesterly, light to moderate, fresh and gusty on some coasts.

Rainfall: 1 to 12mm, heaviest at Cork Airport, 1mm at Malin Head Temperature: max. 8°C to 13°C, min. 6°C to 11°C, no ground frost zero at Kilkenny ,Clones and Dublin Airport

Sunshine: nil to trace

Monday 21st: Rain spread across the northern half of the country during

the early hours of the morning, clearing the northeast coast by early afternoon. Further south a cluster of prolonged showers crossed eastwards across Munster during the afternoon. Some sunshine in the southeast but mostly cloudy further north. Winds were variable, light to moderate, strengthening during the afternoon, but becoming light again by evening.

Rainfall: 3 to 33mm, heaviest at Malin Head, 3mm at Birr

Temperature: max. 6°C to 13°C, min. 0°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -4°C at Birr

Sunshine: nil to 3 hours, sunniest at Rosslare

Tuesday 22nd:Heavy and persistent rain in the west overnight. Rain and drizzle extended to all areas during the morning. No sunshine. Winds were light south to southeasterly, stronger in the northwest and gusty at times.

Rainfall: 2 to 19mm, heaviest at Belmullet, 2mm at Rosslare

Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 0°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -4°C at Clones

Sunshine: nil

Wednesday 23rd: Rain and drizzle overnight. Mild with poor visibility in

places. Rain or showers during the morning and afternoon. Becoming colder in western areas by late evening with showers dying out. A few sunny spells in places. Winds were southwesterly in direction, moderate to fresh, up to gale force in many areas during the period with higher gusts.

Rainfall: trace to 13mm, heaviest at Malin Head, trace at Rosslare Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 4°C to 10°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to 2 hours, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome

Thursday 24th:Showers overnight, heaviest and most frequent in the west and north. Showers continued through the morning and early afternoon, but it was dry in most parts by late afternoon. Cold. Prolonged sunshine in the southeast. Winds were fresh or strong southwesterly, increasing to strong gale with severe gusts in the north during the evening.

Rainfall: nil to 7mm, heaviest at Malin Head

Sunshine: 3 to 7 hours, sunniest at Rosslare, 3 hours at Malin Head

Friday 25th:Clear spells in most places overnight, occasional showers also. The showers continued throughout the day, although amounts were small. Dry in most areas by evening. Generally cloudy with the southeast receiving most sunshine. Winds were southwesterly, moderate to strong and gusty.

Rainfall: nil to 1mm, heaviest at Malin Head

Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 7°C to 10°C, no ground frost Sunshine: nil to 4 hours, sunniest at Rosslare and Kilkenny

Saturday 26th:Cloudy with outbreaks of heavy showery rain overnight. Rain, mist and drizzle continued in the north into the late morning, while further south there were sunny spells. Temperatures near normal. Winds were southwesterly, moderate to strong and gusty.

Rainfall: nil to trace generally, 7mm at Malin Head

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

Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, nil at Malin Head

Sunday 27th: A largely dry and mild day with sunny periods in the southern half of the country. Cloudier in northern areas with occasional light rain or drizzle. Becoming cold inland in the evening. Light to moderate southwesterly winds, strong and gusty on northwestern coasts. Winds eased during the afternoon, but remained moderate on northwestern coasts.

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

Sunshine: 1 to 8 hours, sunniest at Kilkenny, 1 hour at Malin Head

Monday 28th:After a clear start, cloud increased in the west during the morning. A few sunny spells during the day, mainly in the east. Rain affected Atlantic coasts during the late afternoon, with some heavy falls in northern areas. Winds were light to moderate southerly, with gale gusts in the northwest.

Rainfall: nil to 9mm, heaviest at Malin Head, nil at Dublin Airport Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 0°C to 9°C, ground temperatures down to -5°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome, nil at Valentia

Tuesday 29th: An overcast day with very little sunshine. Showers in the

west at first, followed by heavy rain crossing the country, giving some very heavy falls, particularly in the southwest. Dry in most parts by late evening. Winds were variable, light to moderate, gusty in the north and northwest.

Rainfall: 3 to 27mm, heaviest at valentia, 3mm at Dublin Airport Temperature: max. 8°C to 12°C, min. 1°C to 5°C, ground temperatures down to -4°C at Claremorris

Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Knock Airport

Wednesday 30th:Scattered wintry showers overnight. The remainder of the day was very cold and windy with scattered wintry showers. Some sunny spells also, mainly in the forenoon. Heavy rain moved into the northwest late in the evening. Winds were moderate westerly, increasing to strong and gusty.

Rainfall: nil to 8mm, heaviest at Claremorris

Temperature: max. 6°C to 10°C, min. -1°C to 4°C, ground temperatures below zero at all stations, down to -8°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: trace to 4 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, trace at Knock Airport

Thursday 31st:Early rain crossed the country from the northwest. Wintry showers followed for most of the day. Some of the showers were thundery. Sunshine in the east early in the day, duller further west. Winds were west to northwesterly, gale to strong gale force with storm force gusts at times.

Rainfall: 2 to 14mm, heaviest at Clones and Claremorris, 2mm at Rosslare Temperature: max. 7°C to 11°C, min. 0°C to 5°C, ground temperatures down to -2°C at Kilkenny

Sunshine: 1 to 5 hours, sunniest at Mullingar, 1 hour at Malin Head

9 DIARY

(10)

Monthly rainfall totals were

above normal everywhere and

were well above normal over

parts of Connacht and Munster.

It was the wettest January for

between 9 and 20 years in many

places, while Shannon Airport’s

total of 224mm was its highest

for January since the station

opened in 1945. Rainfall totals

ranged from 93mm at Dublin

(Merrion Square) to 350mm at

Maam Valley, Co. Galway, while

percentage of normal values

were between 116% at Johnstown

Castle, Co. Wexford, and 228% at

Shannon Airport.

Rainfall was recorded on virtually

every day during the month; the

only short spell of relatively dry

weather was between the 24th and

27th. Almost all stations recorded

their heaviest daily fall of the

month on either the 9th or 20th.

The highest daily value, 44.4mm,

was measured at Ballincurrig

(Peafield), Co. Cork, on the 9th, the

highest daily fall for January at the

station since it opened in 1995.

There were between 16 and 21

wetdays (days with 1mm or more

rainfall) at most stations in the east

and southeast, with between 22 and

26 at many stations in the western

half of the country; this compares

with the normal range for January

of between 14 and 20 wetdays.

10 RAINFALL

CO. CAVAN

CAVAN (LORETO COLLEGE) 153.9 19.4 20 24 21

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 223.9 228 21.1 9 26 23

CARRON 295.7 179 27.5 12 26 25

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 153.9 132 38.7 9 24 23 CORK AIRPORT 195.1 132 35.2 9 27 23 SHERKIN ISLAND 222.4 159 35.5 9 26 24 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 192.1 44.4 9 25 22

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 188.9 166 21.6 20 28 24 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 173.8 159 25.8 20 26 24

GLENTIES 204.5 125 23.4 30 27 24

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 99.6 138 18.8 9 23 17 DUBLIN AIRPORT 96.9 19.6 9 22 16 CASEMENT AERODROME 111.4 174 23.5 9 20 18 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 92.7 134 18.7 9 20 16

CO. GALWAY

GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.) 193.5 163 15.4 12 25 22 MAAM VALLEY 350.2 32.8 17 27 26 CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK 220.0 127 23.5 20 26 24

BALLYGAR 183.1 170 27.5 14 23 19

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 276.2 165 38.9 9 28 26 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 212.1 25.8 9 26 25

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 141.6 163 32.9 9 23 20

CO. LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL 201.8 n/a n/a n/a

CO. LOUTH

ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE) 115.5 133 16.5 20 23 18

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 171.5 138 20.0 20 25 24 STRAIDE 162.4 121 22.0 20 25 23 KNOCK AIRPORT 163.5 19.9 20 25 21

CO. MEATH

WARRENSTOWN 129.3 152 12.7 9 19 22 21

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 150.3 165 23.8 20 23 21

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 135.5 178 16.3 9 22 22

DERRYGREENAGH 136.4 155 16.2 9 24 20

CO. SLIGO

ARDTARMON 142.9 21.0 20 25 22

CO. TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 156.3 34.6 9 24 21

CO. WATERFORD

WATERFORD (TYCOR) 139.9 123 34.7 9 21 18 DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 166.2 40.2 9 26 21

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 146.3 159 16.8 17 23 20

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 125.7 116 25.0 9 23 17

ROSSLARE 120.2 127 20.7 9 23 16 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 138.9 125 37.8 9 22 19

CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 149.8 34.1 9 23 20

County/

Station

Total % of

Number of

Amount 1961-90 Most in

Raindays Wetdays

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

Wetter than normal

everywhere,

very wet in west

(11)

11 RAINFALL

January 2008

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)

TToottaall rraaiinnffaallll

((m

mm

m))

PPeerrcceennttaaggee ooff nnoorrm

maall rraaiinnffaallll

100 - 125% 125 - 150% 150 - 175% 175 - 200%

(12)

12 TEMPERATURE

Despite relatively cold weather early in the

month, mean air temperatures overall were

around two degrees higher than the January

normal generally. They varied between 5.1°C at

Knock Airport and 9.1°C at Sherkin Island, Co.

Cork. It was the warmest January at many

stations since 2002, which was the warmest

January on record in several places.

After a mild opening to the month, temperatures fell

below normal between the 3rd and 8th, when wintry

showers and frost became frequent. There was

severe ground frost in inland areas on the 3rd and

4th in particular, with all stations recording an air

frost on the 4th. Both the lowest air and grass

minimum temperatures of the month of -7.8°C and

-14.6°C respectively were recorded on this date at

Derrygreenagh, Co. Offaly; this was the lowest

ground temperature at the station since 1994. There

was a total of between 11 and 16 ground frosts at

most inland stations. The highest temperature of the

month, 14.8°C, was recorded at both Fermoy

(Moorepark), Co.Cork, on the 18th and at Dublin

(Merrion Square) on the 23rd.

Becoming very mild during

second half of month

after cold first week

00 55 1100 1155

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

-55 00 55 1100 1155

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)

M

Meeaann TTeem

mppeerraattuurree

(difference from 1961-90 normals)

SCALE

+1.0°C

+1.1°C

-1.0°C

+2.2°C +2.0°C

+2.0°C

+1.7°C +1.7°C

+1.9°C

+1.4°C

+1.5°C +2.0°C

+1.3°C

January 2008

(13)

13 TEMPERATURE

CO. CAVAN

CAVAN (LORETO COLLEGE) 9.3 2.5 5.9 13.1 18 -3.5 4 -6.0 11 5 10

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 10.0 4.6 7.3 1.9 13.7 23 -3.8 4 -7.4 4 2 8 CARRON 9.2 3.7 6.5 2.2 12.9 18 -4.6 4 -12.6 4 2 16

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 10.3 3.8 7.1 2.1 14.8 18 -5.4 4 -9.8 4 4 20 CORK AIRPORT 9.3 3.9 6.6 1.5 12.7 18 -4.3 4 -9.6 4 1 10 SHERKIN ISLAND 11.3 6.9 9.1 2.3 13.5 18 -1.5 4 -4.0 4 1 1 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 9.8 2.6 6.2 13.0 18 -6.5 4 -8.3 4 8 14

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 8.8 4.2 6.5 1.1 12.4 18 -2.4 4 -5.5 4 2 7 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 9.0 3.6 6.3 1.6 13.6 18 -3.6 4 2 GLENTIES 8.7 2.7 5.7 1.3 12.9 18 -4.6 4 -6.9 4 7 15

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 9.6 3.4 6.5 1.9 14.7 23 -2.2 4 -6.0 12 4 17 DUBLIN AIRPORT 9.6 3.5 6.6 14.3 23 -2.1 4 -3.7 11 3 7 CASEMENT AERODROME 9.8 3.7 6.8 2.2 14.2 23 -3.1 4 -5.6 4 5 10 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 10.1 5.0 7.6 1.7 14.8 23 -0.8 4 2

CO. GALWAY

GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.) 9.7 3.7 6.7 1.4 13.3 22 -5.8 4 -8.0 4 5 11 MAAM VALLEY 10.2 4.6 7.4 13.4 18 -1.9 4 -4.9 11 2 7 CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK 9.4 4.8 7.1 12.0 17 18 -0.3 4 1 BALLYGAR 9.0 2.8 5.9 13.0 27 -5.2 4 -8.7 4 6 14

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 11.2 6.4 8.8 2.0 13.7 18 -2.9 4 -8.4 4 1 4 ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 10.2 5.1 7.7 2.0 13.5 27 -3.5 4 -11.3 4 1 15

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 9.8 2.5 6.2 1.7 13.9 18 23 -2.0 4 6 -8.0 30 10 24

CO. LIMERICK

MOUNT RUSSELL not available

CO. LOUTH

ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE) 8.9 3.2 6.1 1.9 13.3 23 -2.5 4 -6.0 4 5 14

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 9.4 4.5 7.0 1.3 12.2 18 22 -3.0 4 -10.2 4 2 8 STRAIDE 9.4 3.2 6.3 1.6 14.0 18 -7.4 4 -13.0 4 4 18 KNOCK AIRPORT 7.7 2.4 5.1 11.8 18 -5.1 4 -8.7 4 4 10

CO. MEATH

WARRENSTOWN 9.2 3.4 6.3 2.1 14.2 23 -2.4 4 -5.5 4 4 14

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 8.2 2.9 5.6 1.7 12.7 18 -2.6 4 -6.8 4 5 14

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 9.6 3.5 6.6 2.0 14.1 23 -3.9 4 -12.0 4 5 15 DERRYGREENAGH 9.1 1.6 5.4 1.6 13.5 23 -7.8 4 -14.6 4 12 20

CO. SLIGO

ARDTARMON 9.0 4.0 6.5 12.3 18 -2.5 4 -8.0 4 2 6

CO. TIPPERARY

FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 9.1 3.0 6.1 12.9 18 -3.4 4 -4.1 4 5 11

CO. WATERFORD

WATERFORD (TYCOR) 10.2 4.3 7.3 2.0 13.3 25 -2.1 4 3 DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 10.7 3.9 7.3 1.9 14.0 18 -5.0 4 -8.0 4 6 10

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 8.9 2.8 5.9 2.0 13.2 18 -3.5 4 -6.6 4 7 15

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 9.9 4.4 7.2 1.9 13.0 18 -4.4 4 -7.8 4 3 11 ROSSLARE 9.9 5.0 7.5 1.4 11.7 18 -2.6 4 -6.3 4 2 6 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 9.7 3.3 6.5 1.5 12.5 25 -3.2 4 -6.0 4 6 21 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 9.4 2.8 6.1 12.4 18 -5.0 4 -8.1 4 8 13

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)

14 SUNSHINE

CO. CAVAN

CAVAN (LORETO COLLEGE) 1.30 16 4.6 5

CO. CLARE

SHANNON AIRPORT 1.49 94 18 6.1 24

CO. CORK

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 2.01 134 24 6.6 27 CORK AIRPORT 2.02 119 24 7.0 24 SHERKIN ISLAND 1.96 109 23 6.2 11 BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 2.05 7.3 24

CO. DONEGAL

MALIN HEAD 0.83 69 11 5.0 3 11 BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 1.45 109 18 5.5 3

CO. DUBLIN

DUBLIN AIRPORT 1.68 93 21 5.9 24 CASEMENT AERODROME 1.50 90 18 4.7 24 27

CO. GALWAY

GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.) 1.74 21 6.0 11 24

CO. KERRY

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 1.40 100 17 6.3 11

CO. KILKENNY

KILKENNY 1.56 92 19 7.6 27

CO. MAYO

BELMULLET 1.23 84 15 6.4 3 STRAIDE 1.50 6.2 3 KNOCK AIRPORT 1.36 6.4 3

CO. MONAGHAN

CLONES 1.24 88 15 5.5 24

CO. OFFALY

BIRR 1.50 94 18 6.1 24

CO. WATERFORD

DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 1.99 118 24 7.2 24

CO. WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR II 1.65 96 20 6.3 24

CO. WEXFORD

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 1.57 88 19 6.4 24 ROSSLARE 1.80 93 22 7.3 24 JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK 1.90 120 23 7.1 27 CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 1.78 7.3 27

Dull in most areas,

very dull in north

January sunshine totals were below

normal except in southern counties,

while it was a very dull month in the

extreme north. Totals ranged from 26

hours at Malin Head to 64 hours at

Ballincurrig (Peafield), Co. Cork, with

percentage of normal values between

69% at Malin Head and 134% of normal

at Fermoy (Moorepark), Co. Cork. At

several stations it was the dullest January

for between 10 and 12 years.

The 11th, 24th and 27th were the sunniest

days of the month, with very little sunshine

between the 18th and 23rd. Kilkenny

measured the highest daily value of the

month, 7.6 hours on the 27th. Global solar

radiation totals for the month were below

normal everywhere, ranging from 87% of

normal at Malin Head to 97% at Kilkenny.

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

County/

Station

00 22 44 66 88

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%

88%

94%

90% 96%

84%

94%

69%

119% 100%

93% 92%

(15)

15 WORLD WEATHER

Global weather

highlights of

the month

A period of heavy rainfall in Bolivia, which began in November, continued into this month, prompting floods that affected around 25,000 people and caused 30 fatalities. More than 10,000 hectares of crops were damaged by the floods, causing an estimated $30 million in losses. Mudslides destroyed many homes in the capital city of La Paz.

Severe winter weather affected much of China from the 10th onwards. Sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow affected over 78 million people and caused 60 fatalities. Many regions experienced power and water shortages, while more than 4.2 million hectares of farmland were affected and about 500,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Road, rail and air networks were paralysed, stranding hundreds of thousands of workers; many were unable to return home for the Chinese New Year, traditionally a time for family reunions.

Australia recorded its hottest January on record, with Western and Central Australia observing mean temperatures of between 3° and 4°C above average. The town of Pooncarie in New South Wales recorded the highest temperature of 44.5°C. On the 3rd, an intense winter storm swept

across Europe, leaving southeastern countries under a blanket of snow. The heavy snowfall prompted authorities in northeastern Bulgaria to declare a state of emergency, while in Romania, thousands of people were stranded when the capital's two main airports were closed.

Severe thunderstorms in the central United States on the 7th/8th resulted in numerous reports of wind damage and as many as 75 tornadoes in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In Arkansas, a tornado destroyed over 50 homes and one fatality resulted. According to reports, the wind was strong enough to transport a cow for nearly a mile. Wisconsin had its first January tornado since 1967, while Illinois had its first in over 50 years.

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

January 2008