MONTHLY WEATHER BULLETIN

MONTHLY WEATHER
BULLETIN
NO. 323
MARCH 2013
BNS BELLIS, from Belgium passing upriver along the Marina, River Lee, Cork as part of a courtesy visit of various naval vessels on the 28th and
29th of March. (Picture courtesy of Evening Echo, Larry Cummins)
COLDEST MARCH ALMOST EVERYWHERE; WET IN PLACES
March monthly mean temperatures were below
Long-Term Average (LTA), with differences of
-3.0°C or more in most parts. Dublin Airport
reported a mean temperature of 3.1°C, its coldest
March since the site opened in 1942 (71 years).
The majority of other stations reported it was the
coldest March since station records began with
record lengths up to 67 years. The lowest minima
of the month -7.6°C, was recorded on the 12th at
Markree Castle, Co. Sligo. The majority of
INSIDE
Special Feature
World Met Day -page 3
stations also reported their lowest maxima since
records began with few a reporting lower
maxima in 1996 and 2008. Rainfall totals were
mainly above LTA in coastal counties in the
eastern half of the country and along southern
coastlines. The highest percentage of LTA
values were recorded in Dublin, Louth and
Wicklow with areas in the West, Northwest and
some parts of the Southwest mainly below LTA.
The lowest percentage of LTA rainfall was
........ . 4
UPPER ATMOSPHERE ....... . 5
LABORATORY ............... . 6
AGMET................... . .. 6/7
DAILY WEATHER .............. 8
RAINFALL ................... 10
TEMPERATURE ...............12
SUNSHINE ................... 14
MARINE & PRESSURE ... . . 15
WORLD WEATHER .......... . 16
WIND & ELEMENTS
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2
MARCH 2013
Sunrise at the Old Head, Kinsale, Co Cork on the 14th of March 2013 . Picture courtesy of Irish Examiner, Denis Scannell.
recorded at Kilcooney More, Co. Donegal with
19% of its LTA, its driest March since records
began in 1996 (17 years). Highest daily falls were
mainly on the 14th, 21st and 22nd with the
month’s greatest daily fall recorded at
Glenmacnass, Co. Wicklow on the 21st with
98.9mm, with over a third of its monthly total of
249.5mm falling on this date. The number of
wetdays (days with 1mm or more of rainfall) were
mainly below LTA with above LTA amounts
recorded in parts of the South, Southeast and
East. The number of wetdays ranged from five to
19 days, with Coomclogh and Bandon in Co.Cork
reporting 19 wetdays in March. Sunshine totals
were mainly below LTA with the exception of a
few isolated sites in the West and Southwest
which were just on or above their LTA.
Percentage of LTA values ranged from 59% at
Casement Aerodrome to 102% at Shannon
Airport. Stations in parts of the Southeast, East
and South reported their dullest March in 17
years while remaining stations reported their
dullest in seven to 15 years. The sunniest day was
recorded at Ballshannon (Cathleen’s fall), Co.
Donegal on the 29th, with 10.2 hours of sunshine.
Ardfert (Lischane), Co. Kerry reported the
greatest monthly sunshine amount with 106.8
hours of sunshine, its dullest March since 2006
(7 years). Cork Airport and Sherkin Island
recorded the greatest number of dull days for the
month (days with less than 0.5 hours of sunshine ) with 15
reported at both stations.
1st to 5th: Mainly dry with some drizzle along
Atlantic coasts. Cloudy and misty conditions at times
but with good periods of sunshine, especially in the
East.
6th to 13th: Mainly overcast with small amounts of
sunshine recorded before the 10th, regular outbreaks
of rain, heavy and persistent at times. Very cold after
the 11th as an easterly/northeasterly airflow covered
Ireland with bands of wintry precipitation and snow
showers affecting mainly the eastern half.
14th to 20th: Unsettled weather, rain and scattered
showers, some with hail and thunder. Precipitation
was widespread and heavy at times, turning to snow
and sleet in places. Sunny periods mainly in the
Southwest and West.
21st to 31st: Unsettled weather continued with
periods of rain and showers, sometimes heavy, with
precipitation falling as snow or sleet at times. Few
showers with thunder and hail. Otherwise dry, with
long sunshine durations, but it remained cold.
Wind and Elements: Mean windspeeds were
between seven knots (13km/h) at Carlow (Oak Park)
and 19 knots (35km/h) at Malin Head, with most
stations reporting their highest March winds in five
years. Cork Airport reported a March mean wind
speed of 12 knots (24km/h) its highest since 1994 (19
years). The number of days with gusts >34 knots
were up to 14 at Malin Head, with the site also
reporting the month’s highest gust on the 22nd with
61 knots (113km/h). Malin Head and Mace Head
reported gales during the month, Mace Head on the
21st and Malin on the 7th-10th and 21st-24th. Snow,
snow lying, sleet and hail were reported on many days
from the 10th onwards. Thunderstorm activity
occurred between the 18th and 22nd. Days with
ground frost were up to 27 at Carrickmacross
(Dunoge) Co. Monaghan while 22 days of air frost
were recorded at Slieve Bloom Mtns. (Nealstown) Co.
Laois.
3
SPECIAL FEATURE
MARCH 2013
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY 2013
WATCHING THE WEATHER
TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
OF
WORLD WEATHER WATCH
Each year on the 23rd of March, the World
Meteorological Organisation, its 191 Members
including Ireland and the worldwide
meteorological community celebrate World
Meteorological Day. Each year, a theme is
chosen to highlight a current topic in
meteorology which is of global importance. The
theme this year was “Watching the weather to
protect life and property” with the subtitle
“celebrating 50 years of the World Weather
Watch”. The theme highlights one of the raisons
d’être of WMO; the reduction of casualties and
damage from weather, climate and water-related
hazards, and at the same time World
Meteorological Day 2013 acknowledges the
fundamental contribution of the World Weather
Watch programme, which was a foundation
programme of the WMO which marks its fiftieth
anniversary in 2013. Established in 1963 it is a
landmark in international cooperation that
combines observing systems, telecommunication
facilities, and data-processing and forecasting
(World Met Day logo 2013 above and above left, courtesy of WMO)
centres in order to disseminate essential
meteorological and environmental information,
as weather and climate know no national
borders. The 2013 World Meteorological Day
offered an occasion to highlight the message of
the growing need for more observations, better
science and global co-operation, to promote and
coordinate better and longer-term weather and
climate forecasts and early warnings to protect
life and property.
(Information and above images courtesy of WMO. More information is
available on, http://www.wmo.int/worldmetday/)
Met Éireann Climate Annual 2012 is now available at
http://www.met.ie/climate/MonthlyWeather/clim-2012-ann.pdf
For more information email: [email protected]
4
WIND & ELEMENTS
MARCH 2013
WIND (knots)
COUNTY
/ STATION
CO. CARLOW
OAK PARK
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
CORK AIRPORT
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO. MEATH
DUNSANY (GRANGE)
CO. ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON
CO. TIPPERARY
GURTEEN(AG. COLLEGE)
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
MEAN
SPEED
MAX. 10-MIN. MEAN
DIR. SPEED DATE/HOUR
7.0
100° 19 21/21
100° 33 21/2107
0
0
0
7.3
90° 20 21/19
100° 20 22/01
90° 38 21/2102
100° 38 22/1159
0
2
11
10.1
100° 30 21/21
90° 48 21/2038
0
3
21
1
0
0
0
0
12.6
12.1
130° 30 22/12
100° 31 21/19
110° 31 22/13
110° 42 22/1210
110° 46 22/1145
0
0
4
4
23
25
3
1
1
0
6
18.9
110° 48 22/08
110° 61 22/0843
8
14
217
11.7
120° 29 22/02
0
6
44
11
1
6
0
4
9.6
110° 32 22/12
60° 40 10/2226
100° 40 21/2128
100° 45 22/1107
0
7
56
10
3
3
0
4
10.1
80° 26 21/18
90° 45 21/1836
0
6
34
10.3
110° 29 22/16
0
4
35
10.3
100° 28 21/22
90° 42 21/2257
110° 42 22/1709
100° 46 21/2039
0
5
37
9.1
100° 27 21/23
110° 40 22/1148
0
3
16
9.2
90° 29 21/23
90° 42 21/2306
0
2
15
8.8
100° 27 21/21
110° 39 21/2136
0
2
9
7.2
90° 22 21/21
100° 22 22/00
100° 36 22/ 112
0
2
3
9.6
60° 26 11/08
220° 25 28/22
130° 40 21/2302
0
4
39
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
MAX. GUST
DIR. SPEED DATE/TIME
ELEMENTS (no.of days)
DAYS WITH
HOURS WITH
GUSTS
GUSTS
GALES ( >34 KNOTS) ( >34 KNOTS) SNOW SNOW LYING HAIL THUNDER
<5
8
BELMULLET
5 - 10
10 - 20
20 - 35
> 35
WINDSPEED
IN knots
PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION
FOG
5
MARCH 2013
5
UPPER ATMOSPHERE
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 AIR WIND SPEED AND TEMPERATURE MARCH 2013
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
300 hPa
300 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
500 hPa
500 hPa
700 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
< 5 m/s
5 - 10 m/s
10 - 25 m/s
25 - 50 m/s
> 50 m/s
700 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
850 hPa
850 hPa
DAY OF MONTH
LABORATORY
6
MARCH 2013
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION AND AIR SAMPLES AT VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
PH AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON DRY DAYS (<0.2mm)
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
PRECIPITATION
μScm-1
AIR
*DATA SHOWN ARE INTERIM VALUES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
NO2-N
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.
SO2-S
SO4-S
(μgs/m3)
Conductivity measures the
total ion activity in the
rainfall, i.e. the higher the
conductivity the greater
the number of ions present.
4.0
(-1.7)
MEAN SOIL TEMPERATURES (°C) AT 0900 UTC
COUNTY/STATION
4.5
(-2.1)
MEAN 100 mm
SOIL TEMPERATURES (°C)
AT 0900 UTC
3.0
2.2
3.9
3.3
(-1.9)
(DIFFERENCE FROM
1981-2010
4.0
(-1.3)
NORMALS IN BRACKETS)
5.3
(-1.9)
3.1
3.5
(-1.9)
4.2
(-1.7)
4.1
(-2.1)
5/13
11/12
1/10
1/9
1/8
SOIL MOISTURE DEFICITS
1/4
10/8
0/-4
3/10
(mm)
10TH OF MONTH/END OF
MONTH
2/10
-5/9
-10/-7
0 REPRESENTS FIELD CAPACITY
-10 SATURATION
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CARRON
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
FERMOY (MOOREPARK)
CORK AIRPORT
SHERKIN ISLAND
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
CO. DUBLIN
PHOENIX PARK
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO. KILKENNY
THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
STRAIDE
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
DUNSANY (GRANGE)
CO. TIPPERARY
GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE)
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
100 mm 200 mm 300 mm
3.5
4.3
4.4
3.0
3.8
4.4
4.0
4.6
4.6
5.8
5.4
4.5
3.9
4.2
5.6
3.9
5.3
4.6
4.8
6.3
3.8
5.6
5.3
5.8
7.0
5.4
4.0
4.9
5.6
3.3
3.0
3.3
4.4
3.9
4.0
4.8
4.4
4.5
5.3
6.3
7.1
5.2
5.5
5.8
3.5
4.3
4.5
4.3
2.2
5.7
6.4
3.3
3.9
2.8
3.2
3.8
4.1
4.6
4.3
3.1
3.8
3.7
4.4
4.2
4.5
5.2
3.9
4.6
5.2
4.1
4.4
5.0
4.3
5.0
5.7
7
AGMET
RAINFALL
TEMPERATURE
TOTAL NO. OF HOURS
-
-
-
30
13
17
59
5
1
1
6
-3.2
-6.1
-5.3
-6.1
2 3
12 9
28 5
12 17
-
-
3 13
5 7
6 1
14 21
0
0
0
0
-6.0
-7.9
-4.4
-7.9
2 6
12 10
30 11
12 27
-
-
-
-
24
12
10
47
0
1
0
1
-4.4
-5.4
-5.6
-5.6
1 3
16 9
28 4
28 16
-
6.2
4.7
4.8
5.2
2.0
57.4
16.9
76.3
73
3
12
28
12
0 22
7 10
3 5
10 37
0
0
0
0
-3.2
-5.5
-4.6
-5.5
3 3
12 9
23 8
12 20
5.7
4.2
4.4
4.7
6.7
6.8
6.4
6.6
5
14
21
5
1 22
4 9
1 4
6 35
0
0
0
0
-8.3
-8.4
-6.2
-8.4
5 5
14 8
21 6
14 19
5.6
3.5
4.0
4.3
6.2
5.5
5.4
5.7
6
6
5
156 17
6
3
3
12
7.9
8.3
5.8
7.3
3.4
-1.7
0.6
0.8
5.7
3.3
3.2
4.1 -2.7
-0.5
-4.6
-4.0
-4.6
1
12
27
12
2 19
8 11
5 8
15 37
0
0
0
0
-2.3
-5.0
-4.9
-5.0
6.0
24.5
7.7
38.2
6
9
2
29 17
3
7
2
12
9.0
7.8
5.9
7.5
3.5
-1.7
-0.6
0.4
6.3
3.1
2.7
4.0 -2.6
0.1
-7.2
-4.7
-7.2
3
12
28
12
0 23
8 9
7 4
15 36
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
15.9
11.0
17.5
44.4
48
4
2
2
8
10.1
8.5
8.0
8.8
3.3
-0.8
0.9
1.2
6.7
3.9
4.5
5.0 -2.8
-2.5
-5.0
-4.5
-5.0
2
12
28
12
3
6
4
13
CO. MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
29.4
20.3
32.3
82.0
6
7
5
108 18
4
7
2
13
7.4
6.6
4.3
6.0
2.0
-0.8
0.1
0.4
4.7
- -3.4
2.9
- -5.9
2.2
- -1.1
3.2 -3.3*-5.9
5
12
27
12
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN
1-10 58.2
11-20
8.2
21-END 60.1
MONTH 126.5
6
6
3
130 15
6
2
3
11
8.7
8.5
6.3
7.8
4.3
-0.7
2.1
1.9
6.5
3.9
4.2
4.9 -2.7
-0.7
-3.0
-2.3
-3.0
1
17
28
17
CO. WEXFORD
J.F.K. PARK
1-10 33.2
11-20 16.2
21-END 80.2
MONTH 129.6
6
8
4
163 18
5
8
3
16
8.3
7.7
5.2
7.0
4.3
-0.3
1.5
1.8
6.3
3.7
3.4
4.4 -2.7
1.2
-2.6
-1.0
-2.6
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD
1-10 42.8
11-20 15.9
21-END 57.5
MONTH 116.2
5
7
3
159 15
4
5
2
11
8.4
7.1
5.6
7.0
3.9
0.6
2.1
2.2
6.2
3.9
3.9
4.6 -2.7
-3.0
-2.1
-0.1
-3.0
1-10 75.0
11-20 10.1
21-END 79.6
MONTH 164.7
CO. DONEGAL
GLENTIES
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
CO. KERRY
ARDFERT
7
7
5
19
CO.CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO.CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO.CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO.CORK
CORK AIRPORT
CO.DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
CO.DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
CO.KERRY
VALENTIA OBS.
CO.MAYO
BELMULLET
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO.TIPPERARY
GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE)
CO.WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO.WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
1
5
2
8
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
P.E. (PENMAN)
STATION /COUNTY
DIFF. FROM LTA
CO. CORK
BALLINCURRIG
MEAN DAILY
PERIOD
MEAN MIN.
STATION
% OF LTA
AMOUNT
STATIONS
RAIN DAYS
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL
DAYS WITH AIR FROST
LOWEST "GRASS-MIN."
-
DEGREE DAYS > 10.0°C
1 -4.0 4 4
0 -11.1 12 10
0 -9.9 28 7
1 -11.1 12 21
DEGREE DAYS > 4.4°C
85
DATE
2.5
63.1
23.8
89.4
LOWEST MIN.
6.0
5.1
5.0
5.4
MEAN MAX.
5.4
2.5
3.7
3.9
WET DAYS
MEAN 30CM AT 0900H
(hours)
MEAN 10CM AT 0900H
(°C)
STATION /COUNTY
(MJ/sq.m.)
21ST-END
TOTAL
84.55
77.69
207.06
34.20
68.36
68.12
170.68
CO.CORK
ROCHE’S POINT*
35.32
112.17
60.46
207.95
CO.DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
43.80
76.71
80.59
201.10
CO.DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT
49.26
78.42
72.25
199.93
CO.KERRY
VALENTIA OBS.
51.49
116.04
97.95
265.48
CO.MAYO
BELMULLET
50.40
101.03
91.42
242.85
CO.TIPPERARY
GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE)*
46.71
87.11
72.50
206.32
27
CO.WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR*
41.31
78.86
72.87
193.04
29
CO.WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE*
36.60
93.46
64.13
194.19
TOTAL (mm)
1ST-10TH
30
CO.CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)*
44.82
26
CO.CAVAN
BALLYHAISE*
34
27
38
29
24
40
33
25
30
11TH-20TH
DAYS WITH GROUND
FROST
(mm)
SELECTED
SUNSHINE
DATE
10-DAY VALUES FOR
1 4
12 8
27 7
12 19
% OF LTA
MARCH 2013
13.7
62.9
30.2
106.8 101
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A N/A
19.1
36.1
28.6
83.8
74
MONTHLY EVAPORATION (mm)
FROM CLASS A PAN
COUNTY/ STATION
MONTHLY
MONTHLY
RAINFALL
EVAPORATION
(mm)
(mm)
CO.KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
82.4
CO.KERRY
NORTH KERRY LANDFILL
46.4
CO.MAYO
NEWPORT (FURNACE)
60.4
CO.OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH
50.6
CO.WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 126.5
CO.WEXFORD
J.F.K. PARK
129.6
48.2
19.6
25.6
20.5
24.6
28.0
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION VALUES FOR
STATIONS MARKED
*
ARE PROVISIONAL
8
DAILY WEATHER
Friday 1st: Widespread mist, mainly cloudy especially in the North and
along western and southern coasts, a slight to sharp frost in many places.
The day was generally dry and cloudy with some sunshine particularly in the
East and Northwest. Clear skies after dark as frost returned. Winds were
light, east to northeast.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 0.2 mm at Belmullet
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.6°C at Cork Apt, highest max. 11.4°C at Maam Valley. Lowest
min. -3.0°C at Thomastown (Mt. Juliet), highest min. 5.6°C at Ardtarmon
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.2 hours at Belmullet
Saturday 2nd: Some drizzle in the extreme North overnight, the day was
mostly dry everywhere. Generally cloudier after dawn, with long sunny
spells during the day, mainly in north Munster. Parts of the North and
along the south coast remained cloudy after dark, frost returned in places
under clear skies. Winds were light, east to northeast.
Rainfall: Nil.at numerous locations to 1.5 mm at Kincasslagh
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.5°C at Cork Apt, highest max. 11.2°C at Delphi Lodge
Lowest min. -5.0°C at Warrenstown, highest min. 5.5°C at Newport (Furnace)
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 8.1 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Sunday 3rd: Cloudy and frost free over much of the country, the Southeast
saw a severe ground frost and a sharp air frost overnight. The frost cleared
by mid-morning to leave a mostly dry day with some sunny spells,
particularly in parts of Connacht and Leinster. During the evening, frost
formed in north Leinster and the north Midlands. Winds were light,
variable at first turning southeasterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 1.9 mm at Coomclogh
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.3°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield), highest max. 10.3°C at Belmullet.
Lowest min. -4.5°C at Durrow, highest min. 5.7°C at Malin Head
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.1 hours at Casement
Monday 4th: Dry apart from some drizzle in the West during the early
morning. Frost in north Leinster and Ulster. A little sunshine in the East,
cloudy elsewhere. Frost returned to Leinster and Ulster during the evening
under clear skies. Winds were light, east or southeast in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 3.6 mm at Craughwell (Grenage)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.9°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 9.6°C at Springfield Castle.
Lowest min. -2.7°C at Dunsany, highest min. 5.9°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.0 hours at Dublin Apt
Tuesday 5th: Dry overnight, a sharp to severe ground frost and slight to
sharp air frost in midland and eastern areas, which cleared soon after dawn.
Light and patchy rain began to affect southern Munster during the
afternoon, it pushed northwards into the Midlands and southern Connacht
by early evening, reaching northern counties later. Eastern counties just saw
a few spots of rain. Winds were light to moderate, east to southeast.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 10.0 mm at Coomclogh
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.4°C at Malin Head, highest max. 12.6°C at Delphi Lodge
Lowest min. -4.3°C at Thomastown (Mt. Juliet), highest min. 4.9°C at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
Sunshine: 0.1 hours at Cork Apt to 5.0 hours at Dublin Apt
Wednesday 6th: Widespread light rain or drizzle overnight. Clearing for a
while in the western half of the country, further patchy rain pushed in off
the Atlantic through the morning and afternoon. Remaining wet in the East
throughout. Winds were light to moderate, east to southeast.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 24.3 mm at Greencastle
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.9°C at Malin Head, Knock Apt, Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall),
highest max. 13.7°C at Valentia Obs. Lowest min. -1.2°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest
min. 6.9°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.4 hours at Valentia Obs
Thursday 7th: Cloudy and misty overnight. Scattered outbreaks of rain in
the morning but with dry periods in many areas as well. More persistent
and heavier rain developed in southwestern and southern areas and spread
northwards during the afternoon and evening. Winds were fresh to strong,
southeast to east.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 46.7 mm at Riverstown (Glenmore Upper)
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.5°C at Ballinamore (Creevy No.2), highest max. 13.9°C at
Dooks. Lowest min. 3.1°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 10.2°C at Valentia Obs
MARCH 2013
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.7 hours at Ardfert (Liscahane)
Saturday 9th: Showery outbreaks of rain in the Northeast, south Leinster
and parts of Munster. Some mist and fog lingered into the late morning in
places. Cloudy elsewhere with rain at times, particularly along the east coast
and the North. In the afternoon showers from the Southeast affecting
Munster passed over quickly. By the late evening a more organised band of
showery rain affected Munster. Winds were light to strong, southeasterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 35.2 mm at Banteer Lyre
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.5°C at Malin Head, highest max. 14.5°C at Castleconnell,
Springfield Castle. Lowest min. 4.3°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), Springfield Castle, highest
min. 8.8°C at Waterford (Tycor)
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.8 hours at Shannon Airport
Sunday 10th: Rain affected Munster and southern counties of Leinster
overnight and throughout the day while wintry precipitation affected Ulster
early on. The band of wintry precipitation in the North edged slowly
southwards affecting the eastern half of Ulster and parts of eastern
Leinster. By evening the rain in Munster began to die out, becoming
confined to southern coastal areas by midnight. Dry over much of the rest
of the country, but wintry showers began to feed in from the Irish sea over
Leinster later. Winds were strong to near gale, east or northeast.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 21.1 mm at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin)
Temperature: Lowest max. 2.8°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 7.6°C at Delphi Lodge
Lowest min. 0.4°C at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall), highest min. 6.7°C at Valentia Obs
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.2 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall)
Monday 11th: A widespread slight to sharp air frost overnight. Snow
showers from the Irish sea affected Leinster and eastern Munster, becoming
more frequent as morning progressed. Snow showers were more
widespread during the afternoon affecting southern Ulster and parts of
Connacht also, before retreating back and becoming confined to Leinster
later. Winds were moderate to strong, northeasterly
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 10.0 mm at Glenmacnass
Temperature: Lowest max. 0.8°C at Mount Russell, Killucan (Ballyhaw), highest max. 5.3°C
at Glenties Hatchery. Lowest min. -4.1°C at Knock Apt, highest min. 0.3°C at Dun Laoghaire
Sunshine: 2.8 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve to 8.7 hours at Straide
Tuesday 12th: Very cold overnight with a severe air frost in parts of
Connacht and Ulster. Light snow showers in the East and Southeast while
the rest of the country remained dry. During the morning, the snow
showers in the East began to die out, becoming confined to the far
Southeast. The afternoon and evening saw a few scattered showers in the
Northwest and parts of the Midlands. Winds were fresh, northerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 7.4 mm at Kilcar (Cronasillagh)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.7°C at Littleton, highest max. 9.2°C at Glenties Hatchery.
Lowest min. -7.6°C at Markree, highest min. -0.6°C at Clonroche (Knoxtown)
Sunshine: 2.3 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 9.1 hours at Sherkin Island
Wednesday 13th: Light showers over the north and west coasts overnight
became more frequent during the morning. The showers spread down
through Ulster and Leinster in the afternoon, before dying out after dark.
Winds were light, northwest or north.
Rainfall: Nil at Nil at numerous locations to 13.9 mm at Glencar (Dreenagh)
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.1°C at Malin Head, highest max. 11.3°C at Glengarriff
(Ilnacullin), Dungarvan (Carriglea). Lowest min. -5.5°C at Cavan (Drumconnick), highest min.
3.5°C at Malin Head
Sunshine: 3.6 hours at Casement to 8.6 hours at Cork Apt
Thursday 14th: Mostly dry overnight with a widespread frost away from
western coasts. The morning was mainly dry and bright with just the odd
shower over western counties. The afternoon saw some showers in places,
but a lot of dry bright weather too. Showers continued through the evening,
mainly in the West, drier elsewhere with variable cloud cover. Winds were
light, west to southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 18.1 mm at Drummin Tawnyard
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.4°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 12.6°C at Cork (Clover Hill).
Lowest min. -4.4°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 3.9°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 1.7 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 7.4 hours at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.1 hours at Ardfert (Liscahane), Valentia Obs
Friday 8th: Scattered outbreaks of rain overnight in Ulster and Munster.
The rain moved up from the south in bands, with rain everywhere at times
through the day. Bright between the bands of rain, though skies in the East
never cleared. Gradually becoming drier during the evening, a further band
of rain moved in from the South affecting Munster towards the end of the
day. Winds were light to moderate, south to southeast.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 23.1 mm at Bantry (Shandrum)
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.0°C at Malin Head, highest max. 15.9°C at Ardfert (Liscahane).
Lowest min. 3.5°C at Sligo Apt, highest min. 10.0°C at Valentia Obs
Friday 15th: Rain, heavy in places overnight. The rain cleared the east coast
by morning, with some good sunny spells developing in places. The
afternoon saw shower of hail, develop. The evening and night saw some
showers in western parts, but dry and clear over the Midlands and East. A
ground frost set in shortly after dark under clear skies. Winds were
moderate, southwesterly.
Rainfall:Nil at numerous locations to 9.0 mm at Quigley's Point (Three Trees)
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.9°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 12.0°C at Cork (Clover Hill).
Lowest min. -1.9°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 6.5°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 3.1 hours at Belmullet to 6.8 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
MARCH 2013
DAILY WEATHER
Saturday 16th: Dry and clear in most places to start, some rain and hail
affected southern and western coasts at times. During the late afternoon rain
moved down from the Northeast. It became widespread, particularly in the
northern half of the country, before retreating back to the Northeast by the
end of the day. Some showers affected western counties later. Winds were
light, easterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 11.5 mm at Glenmacnass
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.5°C at Belderrig, highest max. 11.1°C at Cork (Clover Hill).
Lowest min. -4.5°C at Mullingar, highest min. 2.2°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 3.9 hours at Newport (Furnace), Sherkin Island to 9.3 hours at Clonroche
(Knoxtown)
Sunday 17th: Rain affected the Southwest, East and northeast coastal
counties overnight, with snow in the East on higher ground. Rain, sleet and
snow pushed south during the afternoon, becoming widespread, affecting
most of Leinster, Munster and south Connacht. Later showers retreated to
eastern coastal parts, leaving some clear spells in the Midlands. Winds were
light to moderate, variable in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 15.9 mm at Dooagh (Water Treatment Plant)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.7°C at Navan (Tara Mines), highest max. 10.6°C at Cork (Clover
Hill), Dooks. Lowest min. -4.5°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 3.7°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at Casement to 7.2 hours at Ballincurrig (Peafield)
Monday 18th: Outbreaks of rain in the East and South at first and in the
West and Northeast towards dawn. Rain moved down across the country
during the late morning, affecting most places for a time. During the late
afternoon it cleared from the Northeast but further showers returned to the
far Northeast later. Winds were light, northeasterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 14.8 mm at Coomclogh
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.4°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest max. 11.1°C at Glengarriff
(Ilnacullin). Lowest min. -2.6°C at Markree, highest min. 3.8°C at Sherkin Island.
Sunshine: 0.3 hours at Clonroche (Knoxtown) to 9.0 hours at Valentia Obs.
Tuesday 19th: Rain over the Southwest in the early hours with some
scattered showers in the Midlands. Showers of hail, sleet and snow affected
eastern and northern coastal parts of Ulster and Leinster for much of the
day. Winds were strong, east to northeast.
Rainfall: Nil at at numerous locations to 19.6 mm at Riverstown (Glenmore Upper)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.0°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 9.8°C at Sherkin Island. Lowest
min. -1.8°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns. (Nealstown), highest min. 2.6°C at Malin Head, Belmullet
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 6.1 hours at Valentia Obs., Belmullet
Wednesday 20th: Wintry showers continued overnight along eastern and
northern coasts but a few penetrated further inland. The showers continued,
on and off, in the East through the day. Brighter and dry further west. A
band of rain began to spread into the Southwest during the late evening.
Winds were very light, northwest to northeast in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 12.0 mm at Derriana
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.0°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall),
highest max. 11.7°C at Sligo Apt, Lowest min. -4.6°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 2.2°C at
Malin Head
Sunshine: Nil at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 7.7 hours at Belmullet
9
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 17.1 mm at Lisheen
Temperature: Lowest max. 2.3°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest max. 11.6°C at Valentia
Observatory. Lowest min. -0.9°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest min. 8.7°C at Valentia
Obs.
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.3 hours at Belmullet
Sunday 24th: Cloudy and dry overnight with a slight ground frost in places.
The day was mainly cloudy and cold with some short bright spells in western
and southern parts. The evening and night continued dry and cold. Winds
were strong, easterly in direction
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 5.2 mm at Straffan (Turnings)
Temperature: Lowest max. 0.9°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 7.0°C at Valentia Obs.
Lowest min. -1.2°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), highest min. 5.4°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.7 hours at Valentia Obs.
Monday 25th: Very cold overnight, the morning was bright with some short
sunny spells. The day remained cold and cloudy with light snow showers. Dry
into the evening and night with some further snow showers over north
Leinster and south Ulster. Winds were light to moderate, easterly in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 3.0 mm at Brittas (Glenaraneen)
Temperature: Lowest max. 2.3°C at Cork Apt, highest max. 6.6°C at Delphi Lodge. Lowest min.
-1.4°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns. (Nealstown), highest min. 3.3°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine:Nil at numerous locations to 5.6 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Tuesday 26th: Snow flurries affected areas of Leinster and Munster
periodically throughout the day. Ground frost returned to the Midlands and
western areas during the early evening and elsewhere later, while snow
showers continued to affect Leinster. Winds were fresh, easterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 5.0 mm at Dublin (Phoenix Park)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.2°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 6.5°C at Ardfert (Liscahane).
Lowest min. -5.5°C at Springfield Castle, highest min. 1.6°C at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall)
Sunshine: 0.7 hours at Dublin Airport, Casement to 5.0 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's
Fall), Valentia Obs
Wednesday 27th: Snow showers affected southern Ulster and most of
Leinster overnight; dry elsewhere, temperatures only rose above zero near
mid-morning. Snow showers persisted throughout the day, with a few
pushing into Munster and Connacht before retreating back to eastern coastal
areas by evening. Winds were light to moderate, easterly in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 4.9 mm at Glenmacnass
Temperature: Lowest max. 2.8°C at Casement, highest max. 7.6°C at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin).
Lowest min. -5.2°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns. (Nealstown), highest min. 1.5°C at Ashford
(Cronykeery)
Sunshine: 0.9 hours at Dublin Apt to 7.5 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall)
Thursday 28th: Light snow showers continued overnight in the East, cold
and dry elsewhere. The snow showers in the East slowly died out through the
morning. By afternoon it was dry countrywide, and it remained so for the
rest of the day. Winds were moderate, northeast overnight, gradually veering
east to southeast.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 1.1 mm at Roundwood (Filter Beds)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.3°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 7.7°C at Dooks. Lowest min. 5.1°C at Straide, Castleconnell, highest min. 1.3°C at Springfield Castle
Sunshine: 1.5 hours at Dublin Apt to 9.0 hours at Shannon Apt
Friday 29th: Cold and frosty overnight, the day was generally dry and bright.
Thurday 21st: A band of light rain moving slowly northwards through
Cloudy in the Southwest throughout, some long periods of sunshine
Munster fizzled out during the early hours. There were also a few light
particularly in the Northwest. Winds were moderate, southeasterly.
showers on the north Leinster coast. Around dawn a band of heavy rain
began to spread into the Southwest, pushing up over the rest of the country Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 2.1 mm at Bandon the Gully
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.0°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns. (Nealstown), highest max. 9.1°C at
through the afternoon and evening. Winds were moderate to strong, reaching Dooks. Lowest min. -1.5°C at Knock Apt, Slieve Bloom Mtns. (Nealstown), highest min. 2.8°C at
gale force in the North and easterly in direction
Valentia Obs
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 98.9 mm at Glenmacnass
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.5°C at Ballyhaise, highest max. 12.2°C at Dooks. Lowest min.
-3.0°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 5.6°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.7 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin)
Friday 22nd: Heavy overnight rain continued through the morning in the
East, with sleet and snow over northern parts, and some showers over the
West and southern parts. The afternoon and evening remained very wet over
the East and Midlands. The rain pushed into the North later, bringing some
snow and sleet, but the West and South experienced only showers. Some
bright spells. Winds were strong, east to northeast in direction
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 47.5 mm at Riverstown (Glenmore Upper)
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.1°C at Malin Head, highest max. 13.0°C at Dooks. Lowest min.
-0.6°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest min. 7.5°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.9 hours at Sherkin Island .
Saturday 23rd: Rain and drizzle along the East overnight persisted
throughout the morning, with some snow and sleet also in northern parts.
The afternoon saw some rain in the far north, though the rest of the country
remained mainly dry. Patchy rain in places throughout the evening. Winds
were strong, east to southeast in direction.
Sunshine: Nil at Sherkin Island to 10.2 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall)
Saturday 30th: Dry and cold overnight with some air frost and a widespread
ground frost. The day was dry and cold with some good sunshine especially
in the West and Northwest. The evening and night was cold again with
ground frost developing after dark. Winds were light to moderate, south to
southeast in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 51.3 mm at Bantry (Shandrum)
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.7°C at Cork Apt, highest max. 9.5°C at Dooks. Lowest min.
-5.1°C at Markree, highest min. 4.7°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 1.0 hours at Sherkin Island to 9.6 hours at Belmullet
Sunday 31st: Dry in most areas overnight apart from some rain along the
Southwest coast. Heavy rain over the South and Southwest in the morning
and over the South in the afternoon. The evening and night remained mostly
dry with ground frost setting in shortly after dark away from the South and
Southwest coasts. Winds were strong, southeasterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 25.5 mm at Lisheen
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.0°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 10.5°C at Dooks. Lowest min.
-3.0°C at Cavan (Drumconnick), highest min. 4.9°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 5.1 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
10
WETTEST ALONG EASTERN
AND SOUTHERN COASTS
Rainfall totals were mainly above
LTA in coastal counties in the
eastern half of the country, and
along southern coastlines. The
highest percentage of LTA values
were in the East with Ballyboden,
Co. Dublin recording the highest
percentage of LTA with 218% and
a monthly total of 141.3mm. The
second highest percentage of
LTA was at Riverstown,
(Glenmore Upper), Co. Louth
with 215% and 198 mm, its wettest
March since 2006 (7 years).
Stations along eastern and
southern coastlines reported it as
the wettest March in five to 17
years, while Roundwood
(Filterbeds), Co. Wicklow
reported it as its wettest since
1964 (49 years). The driest areas
compared to LTA were mainly at
stations in the Northwest and
West, the month’s lowest LTA
value of 19% and also the month’s
lowest rainfall total of 20.2 mm,
was recorded at Kilclooney More,
Co. Donegal, its driest March
since records began at the station
in 1996 (17 years). Cloonacool
(Lough Easkey), Co. Sligo
reported its driest March since
1955 (58 years) with a monthly
total of 48.6mm, 37% of its LTA.
The wettest days were mainly on
the 14th, 21st and 22nd with the
greatest daily rainfall recorded at
Glenmacnass Co. Wicklow on the
21st with 98.9 mm, its wettest
March day since records began in
1965 (48 years). The wettest day at
Waterford (Tycor) of 47.9mm
was its wettest March day since
the station opened in 1943 (70
years). The month’s highest
accumulation recorded in a lowlying area (area below 200 m) was
at Riverstown (Glenmore Upper),
Co. Louth with 198mm. The
greatest overall accumulation was
recorded in the Wicklow
Mountains, at Lough Ouler with
264.0 mm.
RAINFALL
MARCH 2013
TOTAL
COUNTY/ STATION*
%
OF
NUMBER OF
AMOUNT
1981-2010
(mm)
AVERAGE
A DAY
91
18.7
54
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
57.6
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
46.1
CO. CLARE
CARRON
46.2
SHANNON AIRPORT
30.2
CO. CORK
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
164.7
CORK AIRPORT
134.9
FERMOY (MOOREPARK)
85.0
ROCHE’S POINT
104.6
SHERKIN ISLAND
116.6
CO. DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN’S FALL) 37.7
GLENTIES HATCHERY
38.2
MALIN HEAD
61.6
CO. DUBLIN
CASEMENT AERODROME
63.3
DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE)
105.5
DUBLIN AIRPORT
85.5
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
97.1
CO. GALWAY
MAAM VALLEY
77.4
CO. KERRY
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
44.4
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
82.4
CO. KILKENNY
THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)
98.0
CO.LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
115.7
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
44.5
DELPHI LODGE
129.6
KNOCK AIRPORT
47.3
STRAIDE
46.1
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
53.2
CO. MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE)
82.0
CO. OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH
50.6
CO. ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON
32.3
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON
21.1
CO. TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
90.0
GURTEEN (Ag College)
35.8
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
126.5
WATERFORD (TYCOR)
113.0
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
40.1
CO. WEXFORD
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
123.7
JOHNSTOWNII
89.2
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
116.2
MOST IN
RAINDAYS WETDAYS
/ DATE
(>0.2mm)
(>1mm)
21
12
10
11.5
21
14
9
35
38
15.7
6.4
14
14
17
15
9
9
156
138
99
134
123
64.1
42.0
32.7
25.0
24.4
21
21
21
21
21
17
16
15
16
14
12
13
10
13
13
39
29
70
9.6
8.6
10.9
21
14
13
15
17
18
9
12
14
125
204
163
180
16.4
25.2
16.9
21.3
6
22
21
21
13
17
18
20
11
12
13
14
33
17.4
14
14
10
48
67
8.0
20.3
22
21
19
17
8
15
143
50.1
21
14
9
114
36.7
21
18
16
45
40
42
8.3
45.5
11.4
12.7
14
21
21
21
16
16
13
14
12
13
11
12
85
9.8
7
18
11
108
17.6
21
18
13
71
14.7
21
13
8
37
8.4
21
12
8
25
7.8
14
11
5
122
48
27.0
13.4
21
21
n/a
15
n/a
10
130
141
48.3
47.9
21
21
15
n/a
11
n/a
52
11.8
21
14
8
113
49.8
37.3
21
21
14
19
14
13
159
33.9
21
15
11
* TABLE REPRESENTS DATA FROM ONLY A SMALL SELECTION OF RAINFALL STATIONS. ALL DATA IS 09-09 HR
11
RAINFALL
MARCH 2013
TOTAL RAINFALL (mm)
0 - 100 mm
100 - 200 mm
200 - 300 mm
300 - 400 mm
PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL RAINFALL
(1981-2010 NORMALS)
0 - 50%
50 - 100%
100 - 150 %
150 - 200 %
200 - 250 %
DAILY 09-09hr RAINFALL VALUES (mm)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
12
TEMPERATURE
BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
EVERYWHERE
Mean temperatures were below LTA everywhere,
with differences from LTA greatest mainly in the
East and Midlands. Most mean monthly air
temperatures were close to -3.0°C below LTA. A
temperature of -3.7°C below LTA was recorded at
Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan, with a mean temperature
of 3.0°C, its lowest mean temperature for March
since the automatic station opened in 2007
(6 years). Mean temperatures ranged between
2.7°C at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo, its lowest since
1997 (16 years) to 6.1°C at Valentia Observatory,
Co.Kerry, equalling its lowest since 1962
(51 years). Almost all stations reported the coldest
March since their station records began, but
Dublin Airport recorded the the lowest mean
temperature for March since station records
began in 1942 (71 years).
Lowest minima were mainly recorded between the
11th and 14th and ranged from -7.6°C at Markree,
Co. Sligo on the 12th, to -1.2°C at Dun Laoghaire, Co.
Dublin, also on the 12th. The majority of stations
reported lower March minimum temperatures in 2010
and 2011. Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall), Co. Donegal
reported its lowest March minimum since 1972 (41
years). Mean maximum temperatures were below LTA
-4.0
- 3.5
-3.0
-2.5
MARCH 2013
to -3.5°C
to 3.0°C
to 2.5°C
to -2.0°C
MEAN TEMPERATURE (°C)
(DIFFERENCE FROM 1981-2010 NORMALS)
by as much as -4.5°C at Dublin (Glasnevin). Many
stations recorded their highest maxima on either the
8th or 9th, with the month’s highest temperature of
15.9°C at Ardfert (Liscahane), Co Kerry on the 8th.
The months lowest grass minimum temperature was
-14.9°C at Straide, Co. Mayo on the 12th.
HOURLY TEMPERATURES MARCH 2013
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
TEMPERATURE (°C)
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
DAY OF MONTH
COUNTY/ STATION*
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO. CLARE
CARRON
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO. CORK
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CORK AIRPORT
FERMOY (MOOREPARK)
ROCHE’S POINT
SHERKIN ISLAND
CO. DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON (CATHLEEN’S FALL)
GLENTIES HATCHERY
MALIN HEAD
CO. DUBLIN
CASEMENT AERODROME
DUBLIN AIRPORT
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
CO. GALWAY
MAAM VALLEY
CO. KERRY
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO. KILKENNY
THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
DELPHI LODGE II
KNOCK AIRPORT
STRAIDE
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
CO. MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE)
CO. OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH
CO. ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON
CO. TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
GURTEEN (Ag. College)
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
WATERFORD(TYCOR)
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO. WEXFORD
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
13
TEMPERATURE
MARCH 2013
DIFFERENCE
FROM
1981-2010
MEAN
MEAN
MAX.
MIN.
6.8
0.9
3.8
-3.5
11.9
9
-3.4 12
-9.6
28
12
18
5.8
0.2
3.0
-3.7
9.4
1
-5.9 12
-7.9
12
14
19
7.2
8.0
0.7*
1.5
4.0* -2.6*
4.7 -3.1
13.5
14.2
8
8
-3.6* 12
-5.2 12
-9.9* 16 20
-8.8 12
14
10
22
18
7.3
6.5
7.3
7.2
7.9
0.8
1.9
1.4
3.0
4.0
4.0
4.2
4.4
5.1
6.0
10.5
10.4
11.3
10.4
11.3
8
-4.6
8
-3.7
8
-3.9
9 22 -2.3
8
-1.4
-5.0
-8.0
-7.1
-3.7
-2.5
15
9
12
6
4
19
12
15
10
7
6.5
7.5
6.1
1.0*
0.4
2.5
3.8* -2.9*
3.9 -2.6
4.3 -2.6
11.2
11.2
8.9
1
5
3
10
15
2
n/a
21
13
6.1
6.0
6.4
0.4
0.6
1.1
3.3
3.3
3.7
11.7 8
9.9 15
10.6 15
-4.2 14 16
-3.8 2 05
-3.0 2
-8.5
-8.1
-8.5
14
5
2 14
13
12
12
20
19
20
7.7
1.8*
4.8* -2.6*
12.4
8
-3.2* 12
-7.7
12
6
20
8.8
8.6
1.2
3.6
5.0
6.1
-2.8
-2.1
15.9
13.7
8
6
-5.0 12
-2.0 12
-6.1* 12
-3.2 12
13
5
17*
11
7.3
0.3
3.8
-3.1
12.1
9
-4.4
-8.8
28
14
19
6.7*
0.7
3.7* -3.0*
12.2* 8
-5.9 12
-11.0
12
13
22
7.9
8.2
5.4
7.6
2.2
1.8
0.0
0.5*
5.0
5.0
2.7
4.1*
-2.6
-2.6
-3.0
-2.8*
11.2
12.6
11.0
14.0
1 8
5
8
8
-3.8
-2.4
-4.5
-6.5*
12
20
12
12
-7.0
-6.0
-6.4
-14.9
12
20
12
12
5
8
17
16*
15
17
19
21
6.5
0.5
3.5
-3.2
10.8
8
-5.0
2
-9.8
2
12
23
6.0*
0.4
3.2* -3.3*
-5.9 12
-7.9
12
14
27
7.3
0.1
3.7
-2.7
12.5
8
-4.6 12
-9.8*
2
18
26
6.8
0.1
3.5
-3.3
12.0
8
-7.4 12
-11.3
12
16
21
7.8*
1.9*
4.9* -2.3*
11.1* 5
-3.9* 12
-8.2
12
5
21
6.8
6.9
0.3*
0.0
3.6* -2.7*
3.4 -3.5
12.0
12.9
9
9
-4.7* 12
-5.7 12
-5.2
-11.9
14
12
14
17
21
21
7.8
7.7
1.9*
2.0
4.9* -2.6*
4.9 -2.7
11.5
11.9
8
9
-3.0* 16 17
-2.4 12
-5.6 28
n/a n/a
8
9
16
n/a
6.4
0.1
3.2
-3.2
11.5
8
-5.1 12
-9.3
16
17
21
7.2
6.5
0.7
1.9
4.0
4.2
-2.5
-2.9
12.0
10.8
9
8
-4.1 3
-1.9 11 12
-7.5
-4.8
28
14
13
10
22
18
7.0
2.2
4.6
-2.7
9.7
8
-3.0
-8.4
14
6
19
MEAN AVERAGE
-2.7
-2.7
-2.6
-2.7
-2.3
-3.5
-3.5
-3.2
HIGHEST
MAX./DATE
9.4* 1
LOWEST
MIN./DATE
LOWEST
12
12
12
12
12
-7.1* 12
-7.2 12
-1.5 12
3 28
DAYS WITH FROST
GRASS MIN./DATE
12
16
12
12 16
14
n/a n/a
-11.1 12
-4.4 12
5
* TABLE REPRESENTS DATA FROM ONLY A SELECTION OF CLIMATOLOGICAL STATIONS. ALL ATA IS 09-09 HR. DATA MARKED * ARE BASED ON ESTIMATED FIGURES.
AIR
GROUND
SUNSHINE
14
COUNTY/ STATION
% OF
DAILY MEAN 1981-2010
(HOURS/DAY)
LTA
3.29
2.88
DULL DAYS
MOST IN
A
(<0.5 HRS)
DAY/DATE
102
8
9.0 28
85
13
8.5 12
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO. CORK
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CORK AIRPORT
2.48
74
15
8.7 12
SHERKIN ISLAND
2.66
72
15
9.1 12
2.58
85
13
10.2 29
CASEMENT AERODROME
1.94
59
13
8.2 30
DUBLIN (GLASNEVIN)
2.47
70
9
9.3 30
DUBLIN AIRPORT
2.25
64
11
6.3 13
ARDFERT(LISCAHANE)
3.45
101
7
9.1 16
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
2.94
98
8
9.0 18
BELMULLET
3.13
100
10
9.6 30
KNOCK AIRPORT
2.41
82
14
8.6 30
NEWPORT FURNACE
2.04
70
14
7.9 29
STRAIDE
2.62
87
11
8.7 11
2.46
73
14
8.0 12
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
2.25
66
13
9.3 16
WEXFORD WILDFOWL RESERVE
2.18
67
11
7.3 16
2.70
74
11
CO. DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON (CATHLEEN'S FALL)
CO. DUBLIN
CO. KERRY
CO. MAYO
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
MARCH 2013
BELOW AVERAGE SUNSHINE
ALMOST EVERYWHERE
Sunshine totals were below LTA at the
majority of stations, with the exception of
parts of the Southwest and West where
values were on or just above LTA.
Percentage of LTA values were lowest at
Casement Aerodrome which recorded
60.2 hours of sunshine and 59% of its
LTA, its dullest March since 1996 (17
years). The month’s highest daily
sunshine value was recorded in the
Northeast at Ballshannon (Cathleen’s
Fall), Co. Donegal with 10.2 hours of
sunshine on the 29th. Dublin Airport’s
sunniest day of 6.3 hours of sunshine on
the 13th was its lowest maximum daily
sunshine hours in March since records
began at the station since 1942 (71 years).
Global solar radiation values were below LTA
everywhere, except at Valentia Observatory
where it recorded 104% of its LTA.
50 - 75%
75 - 100%
100 - 125%
CO. WEXFORD
CO. WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
8.6
16
* ESTIMATED DATA USED
IN CALCULATION
TOTAL SUNSHINE
(PERCENTAGE OF 1981-2010 NORMALS)
DAILY SUNSHINE VALUES (HOURS)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
15
MARCH 2013
MARINE OBSERVATIONS FROM IRISH MARINE DATA BUOY NETWORK
M6
MEAN
DEGREES FROM NORTH
WIND DIRECTION
BUOY
M2
KNOTS
WIND SPEED
SEA
SURFACE
TEMP.
(°C)
7.5
MEAN
WIND
SPEED
(knots)
14.7
MAX
10-MIN
WIND
(knots)
30.6
M3
not available
M4
not available
MAX
SIGNIFICANT
SIGNIFICANT
WAVE
HEIGHT
(m.)
WAVE
HEIGHT
(m.)
n/a
n/a
M5
8.6
15.9
31.9
n/a
n/a
M6
10.6
20.4
35.0
3.8
8.4
MALIN
HEAD
6.7
SUMMARY OF MEAN MONTHLY VALUES
SEA TEMPERATURE
l MALIN HEAD
°C
M4 t
WAVE HEIGHT
t M2
METRES
M6
HOURLY SEA TEMPERATURE AND WAVE CONDITIONS AT M6 (53°03.6’N, 15.°55.8’W)
MALIN HEAD
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
PRESSURE (hPa)
HOURLY MEAN SEA LEVEL PRESSURE MARCH 2013
t M5
M3 t
DAY OF MONTH
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Monthly mean sea level pressure values
ranged from 1011 hPa in the North to 1006
hPa in the South. The month’s highest
pressure value of 1034.8 hPa was recorded at
Malin Head on the 1st of the month, as an
anticyclone was centred 150 miles northwest
of Rossan Point, Donegal. The month’s
lowest pressure value of 983 hPa was
recorded on the 8th at Valentia Observatory
as a low pressure area was situated off the
southwest coast.
MONTHLY MEAN MSL PRESSURE, BASED ON 1200 UTC VALUES
16
WORLD WEATHER
MARCH 2013
%
400
200
MARCH RAINFALL
150
(PERCENTAGE OF 1961-1990 NORMAL)
125
100
75
50
25
0
°C
+7
+5
MARCH MEAN TEMPERATURE
(DIFFERENCE FROM 1961-1990 NORMAL)
+3
+1
-1
-3
-5
-7
DATA SUPPLIED BY NOAA
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTRE,
US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
A slow moving storm produced
moderate to heavy snowfall across the northern
half of New Mexico from the 8th to the 10th of
March with up to 26 inches (66cm) of snowfall
reported in the Taos Ski Area.
During March, bitterly cold weather swept parts of
Eurasia as a high pressure system north of Scandinavia
funneled Artic air over the region. Between the 21st and
26th, five people died as temperatures fell as low as
-24°C in Poland, bringing the country’s hypothermia
deaths of the month to 25. On the 25th of March, the
entire day’s temperature remained below 0°C at multiple
locations in Austria.
On March 22nd a tornado struck the
Brahmanbaria District of Bangladesh. The tornado
resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people, while
injuring more than 385 others.
GLOBAL WEATHER
HIGHLIGHTS OF
THE MONTH
A prolonged heatwave affected
southeast Australia during the first half of
March. A near-stationary high pressure
system in the Tasman Sea directed a
northerly flow of warm air above the
South Pacific Ocean onto the continent.