MONTHLY WEATHER

NO. 341 BULLETIN OCTOBER 2014

A depression of 988 hPa, between Scotland and Norway, maintained an unstable, southwest to west airstream over Ireland on the 10th, bringing heavy showers to Atlantic coasts during the afternoon and evening. In the above photograph taken from Sherkin Island, Co Cork, a shower of rain over nearby Baltimore created a rainbow. (Photo courtesy of Donal Black) WARM EVERYWHERE; DRY AND SUNNY IN PARTS All monthly mean air temperatures were on or 9.6°C at Knock Airport, Co Mayo (difference above their Long-Term Average (LTA) with from LTA 0.7°C) to 12.7°C at Sherkin Island, Co differences from LTA up to 1.3°C at Dublin Cork (difference from LTA 0.7°C). The month’s (Glasnevin), Dungarvan (Carriglea), Co Wexford highest daily maximum was 19.5°C reported at and Fethard (Parsons Hill), Co Tipperary. Dublin (Glasnevin) on the 31st, its highest Monthly mean air temperatures ranged from Halloween temperature on record since 1961.

Produced by Met Éireann, WIND & ELEMENTS...... 4 INSIDE Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9. UPPER ATMOSPHERE...... 5 Annual subscription €80 (excluding VAT of 23%) LABORATORY...... 6 AGMET...... 6/7 or free online at DAILY WEATHER...... 8 www.met.ie Data analysis based on all RAINFALL ...... 10 available data and is correct at TEMPERATURE...... 12 time of publication...... 12 For more information or for data SUNSHINE ...... 14 enquires e-mail: [email protected] MARINE & PRESSURE .....15 BUOY DATA - PAGE 15 GLOBAL WEATHER Data and graphics ...... 16 , Met Éireann 2 OCTOBER 2014 Both the month’s lowest air and grass minimum Wind and Elements: Monthly mean wind speeds in temperature were recorded at Castleconnell, Co southern coastal counties were the highest in six to Limerick. October’s lowest air temperature was 10 years, with mean wind speeds countrywide ranging -1.5°C reported on the 7th, while its lowest grass from 6.0 knots (11km/h) at Fermoy (Moore Park), Co minimum was -5.0°C reported on the 2nd. Cork (highest for October since 2008) to 17.1 knots (32km/h) at Mace Head, Co Galway. Gale force Monthly rainfall totals were variable with below winds were reported on 10 days, with severe gale average rainfall in parts of the Southwest, force winds recorded at Atlantic coastal locations on Midlands, West, Northwest and North and above the 5th, 20th and 21st. The month’s highest average values of above 150% in parts of the 10-minute wind speed was at Roche’s Point, Co Cork East and Southeast. Percentage of LTA values on the 5th with 48 knots (89 km/h), its highest on ranged from 57% at Newcastle West (Castle available record since 1996. The month’s highest gust Demense), Co Limerick to 189% at Kilberry, Co of 63 knots (117 km/h) was reported at both Roche’s Kildare. The wettest days were mainly the 3rd, Point on the 5th and Malin Head on the 21st, their 5th and 27th, with the month’s highest daily highest for October in ten and six years, respectively. rainfall reported on the 5th at Glenmacnass, Co Wicklow with 59.5 mm, a quarter of its monthly Nearly all stations except a few isolated stations in total of 246.4 mm (132% of its LTA). the Southwest reported ground frost in October, Available sunshine totals for October were with the highest number of days reported at Markree, variable, with percentage of LTA values ranging Co Sligo with 13. The number of days with air frost from 88% at Newport (Furnace), Co Mayo to ranged from zero at numerous locations to three at 114% at Dungarvan (Carriglea), Co Waterford. Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Hail was reported on the Daily mean sunshine ranged from 2.18 hours per 5th, 6th and 18th, with thunder and lightning day at Newport (Furnace) to 3.72 hours per day reported between the 6th and 8th and again on the at Dublin Airport, with the Dublin station also 18th. Overall, 25 days reported fog across the reporting the month’s sunniest day on the 11th country, with the highest number of days (at any one with 10.0 hours. station) reported at Dundalk (Annaskeagh), Co Louth with 18 days.

Clear blue skies were present over Annascaul Lake, Co Kerry on the 12th as high pressure brought dry weather, prolonged sunny spells and light winds. (Photo courtesy of Kieran Commins) OCTOBER 2014 SOIL 3

DAILY SOIL MALIN HEAD MOISTURE DEFICITS & SOIL TEMPERATURES

BELMULLET

KNOCK AIRPORT

BALLYHAISE

MOUNTDILLON NEWPORT CASEMENT AERODROME

MULLINGAR DUBLIN AIRPORT

SHANNON AIRPORT GURTEEN CARLOW (OAK PARK)

FERMOY (MOORE PARK) VALENTIA OBSERVATORY JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

CORK AIRPORT

SHERKIN ISLAND 4 WIND & ELEMENTS OCTOBER 2014

WIND (knots) ELEMENTS (no.of days) MEAN MAX. 10-MIN. MEAN MAX. GUST DAYS WITH HOURS WITH COUNTY / STATION SPEED DIR. SPEED DATE/HOUR DIR. SPEED DATE/TIME GALES GUST > 34KNOTS GUST > 34KNOTS SNOW SNOW LYING HAIL THUNDER FOG CO CARLOW OAK PARK 8.5 140° 26 5/20 150° 43 5/2100 0 4 11 CO CAVAN BALLYHAISE 6.8 150° 21 6/00 150° 39 6/0056 0 4 7 220° 21 20/23 CO CLARE SHANNON AIRPORT 9.3 140° 31 5/21 150° 43 5/1955 0 5 19 0 0 1 1 6 CO CORK FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 6.0 150° 21 17/17 140° 37 5/2136 0 3 4 290° 21 21/02 SHERKIN ISLAND 14.5 180° 38 5/20 180° 52 5/2020 2 9 68 ROCHE’S POINT 14.2 170° 48 5/21 170° 63 5/2123 4 11 75 CORK AIRPORT 10.3 150° 32 17/16 160° 56 5/2015 0 7 46 0 0 0 2 8 CO DONEGAL MALIN HEAD 16.7 300° 46 21/01 310° 63 21/0755 5 16 155 FINNER 11.0 270° 38 21/00 280° 54 21/0058 1 10 66 CO DUBLIN DUBLIN AIRPORT 11.5 290° 34 21/04 290° 47 21/ 317 1 11 50 0 0 0 0 2 CASEMENT AERODROME 11.1 160° 38 5/24 160° 53 5/2351 3 12 58 0 0 0 0 3 CO GALWAY MACE HEAD 17.1 290° 42 21/ 0 270° 54 20/2341 7 16 147 ATHENRY 7.7 220° 25 20/22 210° 38 20/2205 0 4 8 290° 25 21/01 CO KERRY VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 10.2 210° 30 20/21 230° 47 20/2159 0 9 40 CO MAYO CLAREMORRIS 8.8 220° 27 26/12 220° 43 26/1245 0 7 26 BELMULLET 14.1 190° 39 3/00 190° 50 3/0019 5 14 131 300° 50 21/0730 NEWPORT 10.6 290° 37 20/23 300° 56 21/0100 3 9 52 KNOCK AIRPORT 9.9 280° 32 21/01 300° 48 21/0103 0 11 51 0 6 CO MEATH DUNSANY (GRANGE) 8.6 260° 27 21/01 280° 41 21/0235 0 2 5 CO ROSCOMMON MOUNTDILLON 7.2 320° 26 21/13 310° 40 21/1323 0 3 8 CO TIPPERARY GURTEEN (AG COLLEGE) 9.0 270° 27 21/01 150° 40 5/2146 0 4 9 CO WESTMEATH MULLINGAR 6.5 130° 21 5/22 140° 37 6/0001 0 3 7 140° 21 6/00 250° 37 21/0129 CO WEXFORD JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 10.2 160° 31 5/23 170° 50 6/0108 0 5 27 160° 31 6/00

CARLOW (OAK PARK) < 5 BELMULLET 5 - 10

10 - 20

20 - 35

> 35

WIND SPEED IN knots

PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION OCTOBER 2014 UPPER ATMOSPHERE 5 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 wind speeds and temperatures at defined pressure levels, 850, 700, 500 and 300 hPa, corresponding approximately to heights of 1.5, 3, 6 and 10 km. Monthly wind roses are also shown for each pressure level.

UPPER AIR WIND SPEED AND TEMPERATURE OCTOBER 2014 300 hPa (°C) m/s SPEED TEMPERATURE

300 hPa

500 hPa (°C) m/s SPEED TEMPERATURE

500 hPa < 5 m/s 5 - 10 m/s 10 - 25 m/s 25 - 50 m/s > 50 m/s 700 hPa (°C) m/s SPEED TEMPERATURE

700 hPa

850 hPa (°C) m/s SPEED TEMPERATURE

850 hPa

DAY OF MONTH 6 LABORATORY OCTOBER 2014

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION AND AIR SAMPLES AT VALENTIA OBSERVATORY Acid rain occurs when pollutants combine with moisture in the air to form PRECIPITATION PH AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON DRY DAYS (<0.2mm) 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 ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY μScm-1 5.65 is considered acid while any value above is AIR considered alkaline. DATA SHOWN ARE INTERIM VALUES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE NO -N Conductivity measures the 2 total ion activity in the rainfall, i.e. the higher the

SO2-S conductivity the greater the number of ions.

SO4-S Sulphur dioxide and (μgs/m3) sulphate in air contribute to the formation of sulphuric acid; nitrate in air contributes to the formation of nitric acid.

10.8 MEAN SOIL TEMPERATURES (°C) AT 0900 UTC (+1.1) COUNTY/STATION 100 mm 200 mm 300 mm CO CARLOW CARLOW (OAK PARK) 10.4 11.2 11.4 11.1 CO. CAVAN (+0.4) BALLYHAISE 9.9* 11.0* 12.1* MEAN 100 mm 9.9* CO CLARE *data missing for the 19th 9.6 SHANNON AIRPORT SOIL TEMPERATURES (°C) 11.9 12.6 13.4 CARRON 11.4 12.7 AT 0900 UTC 10.8 CO CORK 10.3 ROCHE’S POINT 11.3 12.1 12.5 FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 11.6 12.1 12.6 (DIFFERENCE FROM (+1.1) CORK AIRPORT 10.8 12.0 12.8 1981-2010 10.2 SHERKIN ISLAND 11.9 12.0 12.6 13.5 LTA S IN BRACKETS) BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 11.1 11.6 12.2 (+1.6) 10.4 CO DONEGAL (+1.1) MALIN HEAD 10.8 11.5 12.2 11.4 CO DUBLIN 12.4 (+1.0) PHOENIX PARK 10.8 11.9 12.3 (+1.5) 10.8 DUBLIN AIRPORT 10.2 11.1 11.8 (+0.8) CASEMENT AERODROME 10.3 11.2 11.9 CO KERRY 0/-6 VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 12.4 13.0 13.4 CO KILKENNY THOMASTOWN (MT JULIET) 12.6 13.1 13.6 CO LIMERICK MOUNT RUSSELL 10.3* 11.2* CO MAYO -2/-9 BELMULLET 11.1 12.2 13.1 2/-7 STRAIDE 10.5 1/-8 KNOCK AIRPORT 9.6 10.5 10.8 0/-10 CO MEATH SOIL MOISTURE DEFICITS WARRENSTOWN 10.4 11.7 12.4 (mm) DUNSANY (GRANGE) 10.5 11.7 12.1 1/-1 CO TIPPERARY 6/-8 GURTEEN (AG COLLEGE) 10.2 10.8 11.1 10TH OF MONTH/END OF FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 11.2 11.8 -1/-10 1/-2 MONTH CO WATERFORD DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 12.8 13.2 CO WESTMEATH -4/-3 MULLINGAR 10.8 11.8 12.7 CO. WEXFORD JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 11.4 11.9 12.3 -1/-10 0/7 0 REPRESENTS FIELD CAPACITY JFK PARK 11.9 12.6 14.4 -10 SATURATION CO WICKLOW ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 11.5 12.3 13.1 OCTOBER 2014 AGMET 7

RAINFALL TEMPERATURE SUNSHINE 10-DAYVALUES FOR (mm) (°C) (hours) SELECTED H H ." MIN 4.4°C

AGROMETEOROLOGICAL - 10.0°C 0900 0900 > >

STATIONS . OF HOURS . GRASS . . CM AT CM AT " 10 30 FROM AVERAGE . OF AVERAGE OF AVERAGE DEGREE DAYS RAIN DAYS WET DAYS MEAN MAX LOWEST MIN AMOUNT % MEAN MIN MEAN DAILY DIFF DATE DAYS WITH AIR FROST DEGREE DAYS DATE DAYS WITH GROUND FROST MEAN % LOWEST STATION PERIOD MEAN TOTAL NO CO CORK 1-10 106.9 8 4 15.2 6.2 10.7 1.6 7 0 63 18 1.5 7 0 10.9 12.7 50.2 BALLINCURRIG 11-20 56.3 7 5 15.3 7.8 11.6 2.8 11 0 72 24 2.7 11 0 10.9 11.6 35.2 (PEAFIELD) 21-END 36.3 9 6 14.5 8.7 11.6 5.2 22 0 79 24 5.0 22 0 11.6 12.2 13.7 MONTH 199.5 137 24 15 15.0 7.6 11.3 1.2 1.6 7 0 215 67 1.5 7 0 11.1 12.2 99.1 106

CO DONEGAL 1-10 59.8 8 7 13.9 6.3 10.1 0.4 7 0 58 13 -0.2 7 1 - - - GLENTIES HATCHERY 11-20 65.3 7 6 14.7 7.7 11.2 2.4 11 0 69 21 0.5 11 0 - - - 21-END 91.8 10 10 13.6 8.3 11.0 1.0 29 0 73 18 -1.1 29 1 - - - MONTH 216.9 120 25 23 14.0 7.5 10.7 0.7 0.4 7 0 199 51 -1.1 29 2 - - - -

CO KERRY 1-10 64.8 8 8 14.4 7.1 10.8 4.1 7 0 64 16 2.5 7 0 - - 38.6 ARDFERT 11-20 38.2 7 7 15.7 7.1 11.4 1.8 14 0 72 25 1.4 14 0 - - 39.7 (LISCAHANE) 21-END 39.0 9 4 15.1 9.6 12.4 2.3 29 0 88 29 1.6 29 0 - - 14.4 MONTH 142.0 105 24 19 15.0 8.0 11.5 0.5 1.8 14 0 223 71 1.4 14 0 - - 92.7 99

CO MONAGHAN 1-10 40.6 6 5 14.0 4.6 9.3 0.6 2 0 51 12 -2.4 2 3 - - - CARRICKMACROSS 11-20 33.7 6 6 14.9 6.5 10.7 0.9 12 0 65 21 -4.0 12 3 - - - 21-END 48.1 9 5 14.6 8.0 11.3 0.2 29 0 77 23 -4.9 29 1 - - - MONTH 122.4 130 21 16 14.5 6.4 10.5 0.8 0.2 29 0 194 56 -4.9 29 7 - - - -

CO WATERFORD 1-10 110.8 8 6 16.1 6.8 11.5 0.5 7 0 71 24 -1.6 7 1 - 13.8 51.2 DUNGARVAN 11-20 31.9 7 5 16.4 8.4 12.4 3.0 14 0 81 31 0.6 14 0 - 12.7 38.7 (CARRIGLEA) 21-END 29.2 8 6 15.8 10.1 13.0 5.6 24 0 94 36 2.4 24 0 - 13.1 21.0 MONTH 171.9 125 23 17 16.1 8.5 12.3 1.3 0.5 7 0 246 91 -1.6 7 1 - 13.2 110.9 114

CO WEXFORD 1-10 94.4 7 5 15.4 6.8 11.1 2.0 7 0 67 20 0.2 4 0 12.0 15.3 46.0 JFK PARK 11-20 32.5 7 6 15.8 9.0 12.4 3.8 11 0 80 30 0.0 12 0 11.6 14.1 35.4 21-END 22.1 5 5 15.1 9.1 12.1 5.0 22 0 85 28 0.5 22 0 12.0 13.8 21.2 MONTH 149.0 121 19 16 15.4 8.3 11.9 1.2 2.0 7 0 232 78 0.0 12 0 11.9 14.4 102.6 104

CO WICKLOW 1-10 114.1 5 5 15.7 6.0 10.9 3.8 8 0 65 21 -2.8 5 7 - 13.9 47.2 ASHFORD 11-20 48.7 8 5 15.6 9.0 12.3 2.3 11 0 80 29 -3.5 12 2 - 12.7 29.8 (CRONYKEERY) 1-END 29.8 7 4 15.5 9.1 12.3 4.0 29 0 87 32 -1.7 24 2 - 12.8 20.5 MONTH 192.6 178 20 14 15.6 8.1 11.9 1.1 2.3 11 0 232 82 -3.5 12 11 - 13.1 97.5 97

GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION MONTHLY EVAPORATION (mm) P.E. (PENMAN) (MJ/m2) STATION /COUNTY TOTAL (mm) STATION /COUNTY 1ST-10TH 11TH-20TH 21ST-END TOTAL FROM CLASS A PAN CO CARLOW CO CARLOW MONTHLY MONTHLY CARLOW (OAK PARK) 29 CARLOW (OAK PARK)* 82.36 67.29 40.38 190.03 RAINFALL EVAPORATION CO CAVAN CO CAVAN N/A COUNTY/ STATION (mm) (mm) BALLYHAISE BALLYHAISE* 81.88 60.72 N/A N/A CO CLARE SHANNON AIRPORT 34 CO CORK CO KERRY CO CORK ROCHE’S POINT* 83.99 76.63 43.32 203.94 VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 194.5 47.8 CORK AIRPORT 22 CO DONEGAL CO KERRY CO DONEGAL MALIN HEAD* 69.44 53.98 29.56 152.98 NORTH KERRY LANDFILL N/A N/A MALIN HEAD 36 CO MAYO CO DUBLIN CO DUBLIN NEWPORT (FURNACE) 158.8 5.8 DUBLIN AIRPORT 32 DUBLIN AIRPORT* 82.20 62.01 49.33 193.54 CASEMENT AERODROME 32 CO OFFALY CO KERRY DERRYGREENAGH 94.5 20.4 CO KERRY VALENTIA OBS.* 76.15 69.82 37.12 183.09 VALENTIA OBS. 34 CO WATERFORD CO MAYO CO MAYO DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 171.9 38.8 BELMULLET 35 BELMULLET* 75.30 56.38 34.10 165.78 CO WEXFORD KNOCK AIRPORT 22 CO TIPPERARY CO TIPPERARY JFK PARK 149.0 67.0 GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE)* 81.04 59.79 38.26 179.09 GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE) 29 CO WESTMEATH CO WESTMEATH GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION VALUES FOR STATIONS MARKED 24 MULLINGAR MULLINGAR* 75.11 60.21 34.85 170.17 * ARE PROVISIONAL CO WEXFORD JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 29 CO WEXFORD * ARE FROM NEW AUTOSOL INSTRUMENTS 86.72 69.13 43.62 199.47 JOHNSTOWN CASTLE* RAINFALL VALUES MARKED * ARE ESTIMATED. 8 DAILY WEATHER OCTOBER 2014

Wednesday 1st: The day was predominantly dry with just a few scattered Thursday 9th: Fog formed overnight in parts of the Midlands.Heavy light showers. After a cool start, with some grass frost, temperatures rose showery rain continued near Atlantic coasts and developed in Leinster. to above normal for October. Good sunny spells countrywide. Winds were Showers became more widespread during the day but died away by light to moderate, west to southwest. evening. Temperatures around normal for mid-October. Winds were light Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 10.6 mm at Roundstone to moderate, variable in direction. Temperature: Lowest max. 14.4°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 19.0°C at Mullagh Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 33.2 mm at Ballymacoda (Mt Cotton) (Carrowlagan). Lowest min. 7.2°C at Craggaunowen, highest min. 14.3°C at Sherkin Island Temperature: Lowest max. 11.9°C at Ballyhaise, highest max. 15.7°C at Dungarvan Sunshine: 3.6 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery) to 8.3 hours at Belmullet (Carriglea). Lowest min. 1.7°C at Straide, highest min. 10.4°C at Sherkin Island Sunshine: Nil at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 3.1 hours at Shannon Apt Thursday 2nd: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in places at first, but these died out and sunny spells developed in many places in the afternoon. Friday 10th: Showers became more widespread during the afternoon but Winds were fresh to strong, south to southwest. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 27.3 mm at Dunlewy Lough died back to Atlantic coasts by evening. Fog began to develop in the Temperature: Lowest max. 14.7°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 19.2°C at Dublin (Glasnevin). Midlands, during the evening. Some sunshine between the showers. Lowest min. -0.4°C at Mullingar, highest min. 13.0°C at Mace Head Temperatures around normal for mid-October. Winds were light, variable Sunshine: 0.3 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 7.8 hours at Casement in direction. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 16.0 mm at Dunlewy Lough Temperature: Lowest max. 12.4°C at Malin Head, highest max. 16.8°C at Glengarriff Friday 3rd: (Ilnacullin) 16.8°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield). Lowest min. 2.1°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh Rain became widespread during the morning, with some heavy WW), highest min. 10.5°C at Sherkin Island falls in places. This continued in the Midlands, South and East but drier Sunshine: 5.0 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 9.6 hours at Sherkin Island over northern and western areas. Winds were moderate, southwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 58.2 mm at Tinahely (Mucklagh) Temperature: Lowest max. 11.9°C at Glenties Hatchery, highest max. 18.4°C at Dungarvan (Carriglea), Ashford (Cronykeery). Lowest min. 3.4°C at Derrygreenagh, highest min. 15.4°C Saturday 11th: The fog slowly cleared through the morning, lasting into at Cloyne (Lisanley) the early afternoon in places. Showers spread through the western half of Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 1.3 hours at Belmullet the country in the afternoon but quickly died back to Atlantic coasts after dark. Prolonged sunshine in most places, the best of it in the East. Winds were light, west to northwest. Saturday 4th: The day was mostly dry and bright, with some showers in Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 25.9 mm at Inishmore the West. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly. Temperature: Lowest max. 12.0°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 17.7°C at Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 32.9 mm at Dunmore East-Kilmacleague Glengarriff (Ilnacullin). Lowest min. -0.1°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh WW), highest min. 7.9°C Temperature: Lowest max. 12.5°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 17.4°C at at Malin Head Piltown (Kildalton Agr Col). Lowest min. 1.5°C at Markree, highest min. 10.0°C at Valentia Sunshine: 3.1 hours at Straide to 10.0 hours at Dublin Apt Obs Sunshine: 5.6 hours at Ardfert (Liscahane) to 9.8 hours at Casement Sunday 12th: Fairly widespread fog overnight, with some ground frost in places as well. The fog persisted in places through the morning, but some Sunday 5th: Rain in the Southwest during the morning, this spread good sunshine also in parts. The fog cleared by late morning. The rest of countrywide during the day, with some heavy falls in the South. Rain the day was dry and sunny in most areas. Some ground frost in places later cleared later in the day. Winds were fresh to strong, southerly. in the day. Winds were light, northerly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 59.5 mm at Glenmacnass Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 5.6 mm at Ballinamult (Doon) Temperature: Lowest max. 12.2°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 15.7°C at Temperature: Lowest max. 12.3°C at Belderrig, highest max. 17.9°C at Glengarriff Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. Lowest min. 3.3°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh WW), highest min. (Ilnacullin). Lowest min. -0.9°C at Athleague, highest min. 9.4°C at Malin Head 11.2°C at Sherkin Island Sunshine: 3.5 hours at Belmullet to 9.9 hours at Dublin Apt Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.9 hours at JFK Park

Monday 13th: A slight ground frost developed in places. The morning was Monday 6th: The rain cleared eastern parts during the early morning and dry, but the fog lingered. The day continued dry with some short sunny some good sunshine developed. Sunny periods with some heavy showers breaks. Winds were light, northerly. during the afternoon, some thundery. There was some clear periods later Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 9.3 mm at Lombardstown (Gortmore) on. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly. Temperature: Lowest max. 11.4°C at Castleconnell, highest max. 17.9°C at Waterford Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 28.2 mm at Dunmore East-Kilmacleague (Tycor). Lowest min. 0.2°C at Listowel (Bunaghara), highest min. 10.3°C at Malin Head Temperature: Lowest max. 10.8°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 15.7°C at Dungarvan Sunshine: 0.1 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 8.6 hours at Valentia Obs (Carriglea). Lowest min. 5.0°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield), Littleton, highest min. 9.9°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: 2.9 hours at Belmullet to 8.7 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) Tuesday 14th: Dry and cloudy through the morning. The fog persisted in places. The afternoon continued dry with some good sunshine. Some Tuesday 7th: Mainly dry overnight except for isolated thundery showers patchy rain and drizzle through the evening, but most areas remained dry. Winds were light to moderate, easterly. in the West and South and parts of Ulster. Some fog particularly in the Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 33.1 mm at Coomclogh East and Midlands. The day was mainly dry and sunny but with the Temperature: Lowest max. 11.5°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 15.0°C at Sherkin Island. Atlantic coast getting more thundery showers. The showers began to Lowest min. -0.7°C at Littleton, highest min. 10.8°C at Dun Laoghaire spread inland towards evening. Winds were light to moderate, variable in Sunshine: Nil at Dungarvan (Carriglea) to 6.1 hours at Knock Apt direction. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 38.9 mm at Cloone Lake (Caragh River Area) Temperature: Lowest max. 11.4°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 15.5°C at Cahore (Kilmichael Wednesday 15th: Some rain cleared the north of the country before more Hse). Lowest min. -1.5°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 5.9°C at Sherkin Island Sunshine: 2.4 hours at Valentia Obs to 9.0 hours at Dublin Apt rain developed in the Southwest, with some heavy and thundery falls. Winds were fresh to strong, southeasterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 42.3 mm at Leenane Glanagimla Temperature: Lowest max. 11.2°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 17.7°C at Dooks. Lowest min. Wednesday 8th: A band of thundery showers moved northwestwards 1.7°C at Littleton, highest min. 11.5°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) during the day reaching Ulster in the afternoon. Many areas experienced Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.7 hours at Sherkin Island downpours. Severe thunderstorms returned to the south coast in the evening. Winds were moderate to fresh, variable in direction. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 33.2 mm at Ballymacoda (Mt Cotton) Thursday 16th: Most parts of the country had sunny spells and Temperature: Lowest max. 11.9°C at Ballyhaise, highest max. 15.7°C at Dungarvan temperatures were high everywhere, a few degrees above normal for the (Carriglea). Lowest min. 1.7°C at Straide, highest min. 10.4°C at Sherkin Island Sunshine: Nil at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 3.1 hours at Shannon Apt time of year. Winds were moderate to fresh, southeasterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 27.1 mm at Goleen Temperature: Lowest max. 14.6°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 18.3°C at Ardfert (Liscahane). Lowest min. 3.6°C at Mt Dillon, highest min. 12.8°C at Roches Pt Sunshine: Nil at Ashford (Cronykeery) to 6.7 hours at Belmullet OCTOBER 2014 DAILY WEATHER 9 Friday 17th: Heavy showers, in the East, cleared in the early hours of the Friday 24th: A band of mostly light, rain crossed the country (west to east) morning. Heavy rain spread countrywide through the afternoon. A during the late morning and early afternoon. Showers followed into the clearance followed during the late evening. Cloudy in the South and West, western half of the country, some heavy in west Ulster. The showers some sunshine further East, very mild for mid-October. Winds were became light and more scattered through the evening. Winds were moderate to fresh, southeasterly. moderate to fresh, southwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 45.3 mm at Westport Ayle Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 31.0 mm at Ardrahan (Grannagh) Temperature: Lowest max. 14.4°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 17.9°C at Listowel Temperature: Lowest max. 10.6°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 15.7°C at (Bunaghara), Springfield Castle, Adare Manor. Lowest min. 5.4°C at Mt Dillon, highest min. Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Adare Manor. Lowest min. 4.6°C at Clonroche (Knoxtown), 13.9°C at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve highest min. 10.5°C at Dooks Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.0 hours at Dublin Apt Sunshine: 1.5 hours at Shannon Apt, Knock Apt to 4.4 hours at Cork Apt

Saturday 18th: Dry much of the time, occasionally interrupted as spells of Saturday 25th: There was showers in the morning in the western half of heavy showery rain crossed the country both overnight and throughout the the country, they spread further East during the afternoon. The showers day. Cloudy near south and west coasts, good sunshine elsewhere, very mild died out later. Mild for late October, some sunshine, the best in the South for mid-October. Winds were strong, south to southwest. and East. Winds were strong in the West and Northwest, moderate to fresh, Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 32.6 mm at Murrisk easterly. Temperature: Lowest max. 15.3°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 19.4°C at Dublin (Glasnevin). Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 25.8 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan) Lowest min. 9.5°C at Springfield Castle, highest min. 15.2°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) and Temperature: Lowest max. 11.4°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 16.0°C at Mullagh Carrowlagan Thomastown (Mt Juliet) and Cloyne (Lisanley). Lowest min. 4.6°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 10.6°C at Sunshine: 0.2 hours at Cork Apt to 8.1 hours at Dublin Apt Valentia Obs Sunshine: 0.2 hours at Valentia Obs to 4.4 hours at JFK Park

Sunday 19th: A few showers overnight mainly in South and West. Showers and sunny spells through the day, some of the showers heavy. These Sunday 26th: A band of persistent rain edged very slowly into the West continued in places again through the evening and night but they became and Northwest towards morning. The rain fizzled out as it moved southeastwards. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly. well scattered. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 31.1 mm at Derrypark Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 24.7 mm at Oldbridge (Oakview) Temperature: Lowest max. 13.1°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 17.9°C at Dun Laoghaire. Temperature: Lowest max. 13.1°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 19.0°C at Lowest min. 7.0°C at Ballymore, highest min. 12.2°C at Sherkin Island Piltown (Kildalton Agr Col). Lowest min. 10.0°C at Cashel (Ballydoyle Hse), highest min. Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.1 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) 14.7°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: 1.1 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 7.5 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)

Monday 27th: The day was mainly dry and cloudy, but rain developed in Monday 20th: There was showers in the West around midday. The evening the Northwest by late afternoon, with some fog along the south coast as brought strong winds and heavy rain into western parts of the country and well. Rain in the West and Northwest during the evening, but again dry moved eastwards during the night, bringing more heavy rain to the elsewhere. Winds were moderate to fresh, southwesterly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 47.4 mm at Cloosh northern part of the country. Winds were strong, southwesterly. Temperature: Lowest max. 13.9°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 19.1°C at Dun Laoghaire. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 35.9 mm at Leenane (Glanagimla) Lowest min. 8.0°C at Ballina Golf Club, highest min. 14.5°C at Dooks Temperature: Lowest max. 12.5°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 16.6°C at Sherkin Island. Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 1.6 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) Lowest min. 8.0°C at Clonroche (Knoxtown), highest min. 11.9°C at Sherkin Island Sunshine: 0.2 hours at Shannon Apt, Valentia Obs, Cork Apt to 3.4 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) Tuesday 28th: Rain over the western half of the country moved eastwards during the morning, clearing the southeast coast by mid-afternoon. Brighter Tuesday 21st: Squally showers occurred, but some sunny spells also. The weather followed for the whole country during the remains of the showers gradually died out as the day progressed and winds slowly eased. afternoon and evening. Winds were moderate, northwesterly. Winds were fresh to strong, west to northwest. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 36.4 mm at Glengarriff (Ilnacullin) Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 20.0 mm at Ballingeary (Voc.Sch.) Temperature: Lowest max. 10.1°C at Ballyhaise, Carron, highest max. 18.5°C at Dunmoe Temperature: Lowest max. 9.7°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 15.6°C at Sherkin Island and (Craigs Lane). Lowest min. 7.3°C at Knock Apt, highest min. 16.4°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Piltown (Kildalton Agr Col). Lowest min. 5.5°C at Knock Apt, highest min. 10.9°C at Sherkin Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.6 hours at Belmullet Island Sunshine: 3.6 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 8.2 hours at JFK Park Wednesday 29th: The day continued dry with some sunshine, but again rain and drizzle in southern parts. Rain and drizzle spread northwards Wednesday 22nd: Dry overnight with variable cloud cover. A lot of dry through evening and night, and mist and fog developed in places also. weather through the day, with just some patchy drizzle in places. The Winds were moderate, northeasterly. evening and night were mainly dry also, just some drizzle in the South and Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 44.8 mm at Bandon (The Gully) Southwest. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly. Temperature: Lowest max. 12.8°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 16.9°C at Dooks. Lowest min Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 11.8 mm at Dunlewy Lough, Bandon (The Gully) -1.0°C at Mullingar and Castleconnell, highest min. 8.9°C at Valentia Obs Temperature: Lowest max. 11.6°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 16.2°C at Adare Manor. Lowest Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 5.5 hours at Casement min. 3.4°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh WW), highest min. 11.5°C at Sherkin Island Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.0 hours at JFK Park Thursday 30th: Dry and mild during the morning but rain moved into the West during the late afternoon. It was another mild day but cloudier in the Thursday 23rd: It was quite a mild, but breezy day with scattered West. By evening the rain mainly affected Connacht, west Munster and outbreaks of rain and drizzle and temperatures a little above normal. Donegal. Winds were moderate to fresh, east to southeast. Occasional sunny spells but mostly cloudy overall. All parts saw some Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 53.1 mm at Moyard (Shanbolard) precipitation but amounts were mostly low apart from places in the West Temperature: Lowest max. 14.8°C at Belmullet, highest max. 18.6°C at Dooks. Lowest min. 1.7°C at Ballyhaise, highest min. 12.8°C at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve and Northwest. Winds were moderate to fresh, southwesterly. Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 1.8 hours at Dublin Apt Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 25.0 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan) Temperature: Lowest max. 12.5°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 17.5°C at Cahore (Kilmichael Hse). Lowest min. 7.0°C at Glenealy (Kilmacurragh Park), Ballina Golf Club, highest min. 12.9°C at Sherkin Island Friday 31st: Overnight rain in the Southwest and West slowly moved Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.7 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) eastwards during the morning, reaching the east coast by mid-afternoon. A short clearance followed in the West, with showers moving in after. Rain in the East eased a few hours before midnight as isolated scattered showers crossed the country from the Atlantic. Winds were moderate, southerly. Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 59.2 mm at Coomclogh Temperature: Lowest max. 13.1°C at Newport, highest max. 19.5°C at Dublin (Glasnevin). Lowest min. 11.3°C at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, highest min. 15.1°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.0 hours at Casement 10 RAINFALL OCTOBER 2014 VARIABLE RAINFALL WITH ABOVE TOTAL % OF NUMBER OF AVERAGE RAINFALL HIGHEST IN AMOUNT 1981-2010 MOST IN RAINDAYS WETDAYS COUNTY/ STATION (mm) AVERAGE A DAY / DATE (>0.2mm) (>1mm) EASTERN PARTS CO CARLOW About a quarter of stations reported CARLOW (OAK PARK) 138.1 149 34.0 3 22 16 below Long-Term Average (LTA) CO CAVAN rainfall totals, mainly located in the BALLYHAISE 110.8 106 21.9* 27 22* 18* Southwest, Midlands, West, CO CLARE CARRON 162.9 93 26.2 27 26 23 Northwest and North. The lowest SHANNON AIRPORT 103.8 99 15.6 27 28 20 percentage of LTA value was CO CORK recorded at Newcastle West (Castle BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 199.5 137 40.5 5 24 15 Demense), Co Limerick with 57% of CORK AIRPORT 179.6 130 38.3 5 28 18 FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 153.6 136 23.2 3 23 18 its LTA (monthly total of 72.0 mm). ROCHE’S POINT 126.1 116 34.2 5 24 14 Stations in parts of the East and SHERKIN ISLAND 160.9 126 24.0* 5 26* 21* Southeast reported over 150% of CO DONEGAL their monthly LTA, with the month’s BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 125.7 99 20.4 27 22 18 GLENTIES HATCHERY 216.9 120 22.8 20 25 23 highest percentage reported at MALIN HEAD 130.9 109 14.5 5 25 18 Kilberry, Co Kildare with 189% CO DUBLIN (monthly total of 165.5 mm). Over a CASEMENT AERODROME 87.7 107 30.6 3 21 12 third (58.0 mm) of its monthly total DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 104.3 140 37.6 3 18 9 fell on the 5th, as the stations wettest DUBLIN AIRPORT 90.3 114 27.1 3 18 13 DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 80.7 102 27.9 3 19 13 day reporting both this and its CO GALWAY monthly rainfall total, as the wettest MAAM VALLEY 291.5 101 38.8 27 28 25 for October since the station opened CO KERRY in 1999. October’s highest daily ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 142.0 105 23.1 27 24 19 VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 194.5 110 34.5 5 26 23 rainfall was reported at Glenmacnass, CO KILKENNY Co Wicklow on the 5th with THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET) 139.7 140 40.2 3 20 13 59.5 mm, this being a quarter of its CO LIMERICK monthly total of 246.4 mm (132% of MOUNT RUSSELL 169.2 117 27.2 17 25 20 CO MAYO its LTA). The month’s lowest BELMULLET 175.6 120 28.1 30 26 21 monthly rainfall accumulation was DELPHI LODGE 311.6 34.8 27 29 25 69.6 mm reported at Adare Manor, KNOCK AIRPORT 160.2 113 29.8 27 25 22 Co Limerick, its driest October in STRAIDE 147.8 107 20.1 27 25 18 seven years. The month’s highest CO MEATH WARRENSTOWN 80.3 88 18.2 3 20 13 rainfall accumulation in a low-lying CO MONAGHAN area (region below 200 m) was at CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE) 122.4 130 28.7 27 21 16 Bandon (The Gully), Co Cork with CO OFFALY 466.3 mm, while the month’s overall DERRYGREENAGH 94.5 94 16.6 3 20 18 CO ROSCOMMON highest accumulation was at a gauge MOUNTDILLON 118.0 106 17.3 27 26 20 in the Cummeragh Mountains, Co CO SLIGO Kerry with 548.0 mm, its wettest ARDTARMON 87.2 74 17.1 27 23 19 October since 2000. CO TIPPERARY FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 127.6 117 34.1 3 22 14 GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE) 84.6 81 13.6 27 26 20 The number of wet days (days with 1 CO WATERFORD mm or more rainfall) ranged from nine DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 171.9 125 50.3 5 23 17 at Dublin (Merrion Square) to 28 at WATERFORD (TYCOR) 136.6 118 29.3 5 23 18 Bandon (The Gully), Co Cork. CO WESTMEATH MULLINGAR 120.9 116 23.1* 27 24* 21* CO WEXFORD CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 169.8 39.0 5 22 17 JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 197.3 162 45.7 5 25 19 CO WICKLOW ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 192.6 178 48.9 5 20 14

* ESTIMATED DATA USED IN CALCULATION. TABLE REPRESENTS DATA FROM A SMALL SELECTION OF RAINFALL STATIONS. ALL DATA IS 09-09 HR OCTOBER 2014 RAINFALL 11

TOTAL RAINFALL (mm)

0 - 100 mm 100 - 200 mm 200 - 300 mm 300 - 400 mm 400 - 500 mm 500 - 600 mm

PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL RAINFALL (1981-2010 NORMALS)

50 - 75% 75 - 100% 100 - 125% 125 - 150% 150 - 175% 175 - 200% 200 - 225%

DAILY 0901-0900hr RAINFALL VALUES (mm)

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY DUBLIN AIRPORT BELMULLET 12 TEMPERATURE OCTOBER 2014 MEAN TEMPERATURES ABOVE AVERAGE EVERYWHERE 0.0 to 0.5°C All monthly mean air temperatures were on or above 0.5 to 1.0°C 1.0 to 1.5°C their Long-Term Average (LTA). Differences from monthly LTA were highest in coastal counties in the East, Southeast and South, with up to 1.3°C reported at Dublin (Glasnevin), (mean temperature 12.6°C), Dungarvan (Carriglea), Co Wexford (mean temperature 12.3°C) and Fethard (Parsons Hill), Co Tipperary (mean temperature 12.3°C). Monthly mean air temperatures ranged from 9.6°C at Knock Airport, Co Mayo (difference from LTA 0.7°C) to 12.7°C at Sherkin Island, Co Cork (difference from LTA 0.7°C). Despite all mean air temperatures being above average for the time of year nearly all sites reported warmer October conditions in 2013.

Monthly mean air maximum temperatures (average of highest daily maxima) were all above average, with differences of up to 1.6°C in parts of Wicklow and MEAN TEMPERATURE (°C) Wexford. The month’s highest air maxima were nearly (DIFFERENCE FROM 1981-2010 LTAS) all recorded on the 2nd, 16th, 18th or 31st with maxima ranging between 15.6°C at Knock Airport nearly all above average also, with differences of over (on the 16th) to 19.5°C at Dublin (Glasnevin) (on the 1.2°C reported in Cork, Dublin and Wexford. The 31st). Nearly all Dublin stations reported their month’s lowest air and grass minima were mainly month’s highest maximum temperature on the 31st, recorded on the 7th and 29th and ranged from -1.5°C the highest temperature recorded for that late in the at Castleconnell, Co Limerick (on the 7th) to 5.9°C at year on available record (station observation lengths Sherkin Island (on the 14th). The month’s lowest grass from 48 years to 72 years). Monthly mean minimum minimum was at Castleconnell, Co Limerick on the temperatures (average of lowest daily minima) were 2nd with -5.0°C.

HOURLY TEMPERATURES OCTOBER 2014 VALENTIA OBSERVATORY

DUBLIN AIRPORT (°C)

BELMULLET TEMPERATURE

DAY OF MONTH OCTOBER 2014 TEMPERATURE 13

DIFFERENCE FROM MEAN MEAN 1981-2010 HIGHEST LOWEST LOWEST DAYS WITH FROST COUNTY/ STATION MAX. MIN. MEAN AVERAGE MAX./DATE MIN./DATE GRASS MIN./DATE AIR GROUND CO CARLOW CARLOW (OAK PARK) 15.2 7.8 11.5 0.9 17.7 2 0.5 7 -2.1 7 0 5 CO CAVAN BALLYHAISE 14.1* 6.9* 10.5* 0.3 17.3* 18 0.5* 29 -2.3* 29 0* 3* CO CLARE CARRON 13.9 7.3 10.6 0.7 16.4 16 1.2 12 n/a n/a 0 n/a SHANNON AIRPORT 15.1 8.4 11.8 0.6 18.0 18 1.8 29 -1.4 14 0 3 CO CORK BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 15.0 7.6 11.3 1.2 17.0 2,15 1.6 7 1.5 7 0 0 CORK AIRPORT 14.4 8.3 11.3 0.8 16.5 1 4.1 7,12 -2.1 7 0 2 FERMOY (MOORE PARK) 15.2 7.6 11.4 1.1 17.4 15 -0.4 7 -0.5 14 1 2 ROCHE’S POINT 15.0 10.1 12.5 0.9 17.0 1 5.1 7 -0.8 7 0 1 SHERKIN ISLAND 14.9 10.6 12.7 0.7 17.2 1,2 5.9 7,14 0.9 7 0 0 CO DONEGAL BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 14.3 8.6 11.4 1.1 17.3 18 3.5 29 0 GLENTIES HATCHERY 14.0 7.5 10.7 0.7 16.6 18 0.4 7 -1.1 29 0 2 MALIN HEAD 13.9 9.1 11.5 0.7 18.0 18 4.3 7 -2.0 8 0 2 CO DUBLIN CASEMENT AERODROME 14.7 8.1 11.4 1.1 18.2 31 0.4 29 -4.0 29 0 6 DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE) 15.1 9.4 12.3 0.9 18.6 18,31 4.7 29 0 DUBLIN AIRPORT 14.7 7.8 11.3 0.8 18.9 31 -0.6 29 -3.4 29 1 6 DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK) 15.3 7.9 11.6 1.2 19.4 31 1.0 29 -2.6 12 0 8 CO GALWAY MAAM VALLEY 14.7 8.1 11.4 0.7 17.3 2,16 2.0 29 -0.9 29 0 1 CO KERRY ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 15.0 8.0 11.5 0.5 18.3 16 1.8 14 1.4 14 0 0 VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 14.8 9.9 12.4 0.7 17.4 2 4.1 14 0.5 12 0 0 CO KILKENNY THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET) 15.7 7.0 11.4 1.1 18.0 2,19 -0.6 7 -3.6 7 1 8 CO LIMERICK MOUNTRUSSELL 14.4* 8.1* 11.3* 1.1 16.6* 2 4.2* 7,14 -1.0* 14 0* 2* CO MAYO BELMULLET 14.1 9.0 11.6 0.5 17.3 16 3.2 29 -0.6 14 0 2 DELPHI LODGE 14.5 8.4 11.5 0.5 17.8 16 2.2 29 -1.5 29 0 5 KNOCK AIRPORT 12.8 6.8 9.8 0.7 15.6 16 0.6 7 -0.9 7 0 4 STRAIDE 14.6 6.6 10.6 0.6 17.5 16 -0.5 7 -4.2 7 1 10 CO MEATH WARRENSTOWN 14.8 7.4 11.1 1.0 18.4 31 -0.7 29 -3.5 29 1 6 CO MONAGHAN CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE) 14.5 6.4 10.5 0.8 18.0 31 0.2 29 -4.9 29 0 7 CO OFFALY DERRYGREENAGH 14.6 6.7 10.7 1.1 18.1 2 0.1 29 -3.5 29 0 7 CO ROSCOMMON MOUNTDILLON 14.3 6.1 10.2 0.2 17.8 16 -0.5 7 -3.5 14 2 9 CO SLIGO ARDTARMON 14.5 9.0 11.8 1.0 17.9 18 4.7 29 0 CO TIPPERARY FETHARD (PARSONSHILL) 14.6 7.4 11.0 1.3 17.5 2 1.9 7 1.3 7 0 0 GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE) 14.4 7.2 10.8 0.6 17.2 2 -0.5 29 -4.9 29 1 7 CO WATERFORD DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 16.1 8.5 12.3 1.3 18.6 2 0.5 7 -1.6 7 0 1 WATERFORD (TYCOR) 15.7 8.6 12.2 1.2 18.1 1 3.1 7 0 CO WESTMEATH MULLINGAR 14.0 6.6 10.3 0.6 17.4 18 -1.0 29 -4.9 29 3 9 CO WEXFORD CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 14.9 7.3 11.1 1.2 17.0 2,19 0.7 12 -1.6 12 0 3 JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 14.7 9.6 12.2 1.1 17.1 1 4.5 7 -0.2 11 0 1 CO WICKLOW ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 15.6 8.1 11.9 1.1 18.4 3 2.3 11 -3.5 12 0 11

* PARTIAL DATA USED IN CALCULATION. TABLE REPRESENTS DATA FROM A SMALL SELECTION OF STATIONS. ALL DATA IS 09-09 HR 14 SUNSHINE OCTOBER 2014 HIGHEST MONTHLY SUNSHINE TOTAL

% OF DULL MOST IN RECORDED IN THE DUBLIN AREA DAILY MEAN 1981-2010 DAYS A Sunshine totals were mainly below average in COUNTY/ STATION (HOURS/DAY) LTA (<0.5 HRS) DAY/DATE western parts of the country, with the CO CLARE month’s lowest percentage of LTA and lowest daily mean sunshine reported at Newport SHANNON AIRPORT 2.72 93 11 8.3 11 (Furnace), Co Mayo with 88% and 2.18 hours. CO CORK Percentage of LTAs and monthly sunshine BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD) 3.20 106 11 9.3 4,12 totals were highest in the East with CORK AIRPORT 2.94 96 12 8.8 12 Dungarvan (Carriglea), Co Waterford SHERKIN ISLAND 3.40 104 13 9.6 10 reporting the month’s highest percentage of CO DONEGAL LTA with 114% (daily mean of 3.58 hours) BALLYSHANNON (CATHLEEN'S FALL) 2.70 105 11 7.2 7 and Dublin Airport reporting the highest daily mean sunshine with 3.72 hours (111% of CO DUBLIN LTA), both their sunniest October in four CASEMENT AERODROME 3.68 112 6 9.8 4 years. The month’s sunniest day was at Dublin DUBLIN (GLASNEVIN) 3.66 109 7 8.7 6 Airport on the 11th with 10.0 hours. Number DUBLIN AIRPORT 3.72 111 6 10.0 11 of dull days (days with less than 0.5 hours of CO KERRY sunshine) were up to 13 days at Sherkin Island, ARDFERT (LISCAHANE) 2.99 99 7 7.8 10,12 Co Cork. VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 2.63 95 12 8.6 13 Percentage of global radiation LTA values CO OFFALY were all on or above average, with LTAs EDENDERRY (BALLINLA) ------not available------values up to 107% at Dublin Airport. CO MAYO BELMULLET 2.52 89 9 8.3 1 75 - 100% KNOCK AIRPORT 2.58 96 11 7.8 1,4 100 - 125% NEWPORT (FURNACE) 2.18 88 12 6.7 11 STRAIDE 2.56 92 9 7.7 1 CO WATERFORD DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 3.58 114 11 9.6 4 CO WEXFORD CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN) 3.26 109 10 9.8 11 JFK PARK 3.42* 104 8* 9.0* 11 WEXFORD WILDFOWL RESERVE 3.26 105 9 9.1 4 CO WICKLOW ARKLOW (BALLYRICHARD HSE.) 3.23 11 9.5 12 ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY) 3.15 97 9 8.5 4

* PARTIAL DATA USED IN CALCULATION JFK MISSING SUNSHINE DATA FROM 31ST TOTAL SUNSHINE PERCENTAGE OF 1981-2010 NORMALS DAILY SUNSHINE VALUES (HOURS) ( )

VALENTIA OBSERVATORY DUBLIN AIRPORT BELMULLET OCTOBER 2014 15 MARINE OBSERVATIONS FROM IRISH MARINE DATA BUOY NETWORK

MEAN MAX WIND DIRECTION M4 SEA MEAN MAX SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT BUOY SURFACE WIND 10-MIN WAVE WAVE TEMP. SPEED WIND HEIGHT HEIGHT (°C) (knots) (knots) (m) (m)

M2 14.7 16.3 36.0 1.5 5.2

M3 14.9 15.7 33.2 3.6 6.7

WIND SPEED M4 13.4 17.7 36.9 3.7 8.6 M5 ------not available------M6 n/a n/a n/a 3.9* 7.5* KNOTS KNOTS DEGREES FROM NORTH MALIN 13.5* * PARTIAL DATA HEAD

SUMMARY OF MEAN MONTHLY VALUES SEA TEMPERATURE l MALIN HEAD

M4t °C

WAVE HEIGHT t M2 M6 METRES

t M5 HOURLY SEA TEMPERATURE AND WAVE CONDITIONS AT M4 (55°0’N, 10°0’W) M3 t

HOURLY MEAN SEA LEVEL PRESSURE OCTOBER 2014 MALIN HEAD VALENTIA OBSERVATORY (hPa) PRESSURE

DAY OF MONTH ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE Monthly mean sea level pressure values ranged from just above 1005hPa in the West to nearly 1009hPa in the Southeast. The month’s lowest pressure value of 980.1hPa was recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry on the 8th at 1800UTC, as a depression of 980hPa was situated over Munster and Connacht. The month’s highest pressure value of 1030.9hPa was recorded between 2200 UTC and 2400 UTC on the 1st at Cork Airport, Fermoy (Moore Park), Co Cork and Carlow (Oak Park) as a high pressure system of 1031hPa spanned from the UK over the Ireland to the Azores. MONTHLY MEAN MSL PRESSURE, BASED ON 1200 UTC VALUES 16 GLOBAL WEATHER OCTOBER 2014

%

400

200 OCTOBER RAINFALL 150 (PERCENTAGE OF 1961-1990 NORMAL) 125

100

75

50

25

0

°C

+7 OCTOBER MEAN TEMPERATURE +5 (DIFFERENCE FROM 1961-1990 NORMAL) +3 +1 -1 -3 -5 MAPS SUPPLIED BY NOAA -7 CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTRE, US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS SUPPLIED BY AON BENFIELD

Powerful thunderstorms brought large hail, Severe thunderstorms resulted strong winds, isolated tornadoes and torrential rain in torrential rainfall and flash floods in the across parts of the central and southern United States. In Italian city of Genoa from the 8th to the the Deep South similar conditions caused at least two 11th. Damage to infrastructure and strong A weakened Super Typhoon Phanfone made landfall in fatalities. Trees and electrical lines were down, causing wind gusts caused extensive damage and left Japan on the 6th, leaving at least 11 people dead. The storm disruption to homes, businesses, and vehicles. A state of two people dead in the U.K. The system brought up to 489 mm of rainfall and wind gusts of 59 Knots (110 emergency was declared in Louisiana. then moved across the rest of Europe km/hr). Subsequently a weakened Super Typhoon Vongfong made where it brought heavy rainfall and snow to landfall in Japan on the 13th. At least nine people died and 94 others some areas causing flash-floods and were injured. The storm, at its peak became a Category 5 typhoon claiming another life in Bulgaria. Athens with winds of 157 Knots (290 km/hr). was also badly affected by flash floods.

Flash flooding and landslides affected Congo’s South Kivu Province between the 25th and 28th, killing as many as 100 people. There was Low pressure brought severe weather to large scale damage to homes in the area. Sydney on the 14th and 15th where thunderstorms generated gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, and blizzards GLOBAL WEATHER over higher elevations. Australian meteorologists estimated rainfall totals to be a 1-in-100 year event. Disruptions to SUMMARY travel routes and damage to infrastructure occurred as a result of the severe weather conditions.