WE SUSPECTED THIS might be the case, right? Met Eireann confirmed today that last winter was not just a very wet winter, but it was the wettest winter on record.
According to Met Éireann’s Winter 2013/2014 summary report, rainfalls were well over the long-term average all across the country.
Rain
Valentia in County Kerry experienced the wettest winter since records began 148 years ago at 183 per cent of the long term average, while Shannon Airport had its wettest winter on record – 68 years.
Mullingar reported its wettest winter on record in 63 years with 531.3mm and 444.5mm respectively.
So, what was the wettest day? Met Eireann states that the wettest day of the season was a Ballyhaise on 17 February which recorded 34.5mm – its wettest winter day since 2008.
The number of wet days during the season ranged from 50-80 around the country.
Temperature
While it may have been the wettest winter, stations also recorded some of the highest temperatures for the season.
Many stations recorded their highest maximum temperatures for winter in 6 to 15 years.
Almost all stations recorded their maximum temperature of the season on 12 December, with the season’s highest maximum temperature of 15.2°C at Finner.
This was also the date for Malin Head’s highest maximum for winter since 1948. Knock Airport reported 12.8°C on that date also, its highest maximum on record for winter 17 years.
Wind
It was a rare day in winter when we could hold on to our brollies.
Met Eireann said winds were above average for winter with storm force winds on occasions. Dublin Airport’s winter average windspeed was 26 km/h – its highest since 1943, while Shannon Airport reported its highest winter average windspeed in 31 years at 23 km/h.
The highest gust of the season was recorded at 159 km/h at Shannon Airport on 12 February, its highest for winter on record, while the highest mean speed was 120km/h at Mace Head on the the same date.
It’s not surprise that most Irish people are said to be Vitamin D deficient as Met Eireann reports that the highest daily sunshine amount for winter was 8.8 hours at Dublin Airport on 27 February.
A new marine record was also made with a maximum wave of 25 metres reported at the Kinsale Energy Gas Platform on 12 February.
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