Monthly
y Weather
Bulletin
No. 273
JANUARY 2009
Snow was recorded in many places between the 17th and 25th, especially over high ground. This picture was taken at Lyre, Co. Cork, on the 19th (picture Irish Examiner)
COLDEST JANUARY SINCE 2001;
BECOMING WET AND WINDY AFTER DRY START
After a dry, cold start to the month everywhere,
the weather became unsettled from the 10th
onwards, with heavy rain and strong winds at
times, leading to flooding in places. Valentia
Observatory’s rainfall total of 291mm was its
highest for January since 1974 and included
daily falls of more than 10mm on 12 days. In
contrast, rainfall totals were below normal near
eastern and northern coasts, with Dublin
INSIDE
Airport recording no days when 10mm or more
was measured. The heaviest daily falls generally
were on the 10th/11th, 14th, 17th, 21st and 30th;
many falls in the period 17th to 20th were in the
form of sleet or snow. Despite the fact that very
little rain fell before the 10th of the month, most
stations recorded a total of between 15 and 20
wetdays (days with 1mm or more rainfall),
slightly more than normal for the month.
Agmet /Lab
/Lab ............. 6
Diary ...................... 8
R ainfall
ainfall .................. 10
Heavy rain at end of month
brings flooding in south
Atlantic storms generate
high seas- page 2
Wind & Elements .......... 4
Marine & Pressur
e ....... 5
Pressure
Tempera
emperature
ture ..........
Sunshine ...............
World
ther .......
orld wea
weather
Notes on
the tab
tab les..............
les..............
12
14
15
16
Produced by Met Éireann,
Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9.
Annual subscription 80 euro
For more informationtel: +353-1-8064260
fax: +353-1-8064216
[email protected]
www.met.ie/climate
Notes on the tables and map
showing location of stations
appear in January issue
2
WEATHER
January 2009
at Valentia Observatory; while it was
the sunniest January for between 6 and
8 years generally, at Valentia it was the
dullest since 2002.
1st to 9th: A large anticyclone, or area of
high pressure, moved slowly southwards
over Ireland. Apart from some light coastal
rain or drizzle at times, this period was dry
with skies becoming increasingly clear as
the period progressed. Temperatures were
below normal with widespread frost,
which was severe in many places between
the 4th and 8th. Light east to southeasterly
Mean air temperatures for January
were a little below normal at most
stations for the second successive
month. It was the coldest January since
2001 generally and the coldest at Cork
Airport since 1997. The lowest
temperatures were measured during
the first week, when ground values fell
below -10°C in some inland areas.
Here, between 20 and 26 ground frosts
were recorded, much higher than the
normal range for January of between 15
and 18 in these areas. Sunshine totals
were above normal everywhere except
Wave height and direction at 1200UTC on 25th
Infrared satellite image at 1800UTC on 17th
2
3
4
5
6
7
WAVE HEIGHT (m)
8
9
10
Deep depressions close to Ireland during
the second half of the month brought
stormy conditions, together with very high seas
Synoptic chart at 0000UTC on 18th
along the south and west coasts. On the 17th, a
depression of central pressure 946hPa passed just north
of Ireland. Mean windspeeds at Belmullet reached 52
knots (96km/h)- storm force 10- during the afternoon,
gusting to 94 knots (174km/h).This matched the highest
gust in over 50 years of record at the station, recorded in
January 1957. Cork and Shannon Airports measured their
highest January gusts for between 16 and 19 years on the
same day. Another rapidly deepening depression passed
south of Ireland on the 24th, bringing damaging winds to
parts of France and Spain (see page 15); the chart above
shows the extremely high waves in the eastern Atlantic
generated by the storms.
(satellite image courtesy Wokingham Weather, www.btinternet.com/~wokingham.weather)
WEATHER
January 2009
winds at first veered gradually to a
southerly direction.
10th to 31st: Atlantic weather systems
were the dominant influence during this
period, often associated with deep and
fast-moving depressions moving close to
or over Ireland. Wet and windy conditions
prevailed, with rainfall measured each day,
falling as sleet or snow at times,
particularly in the period 17th to 20th,
when thunderstorms were also recorded.
The heaviest falls on most days were in the
southwest, where during this period almost
five times the amount of rainfall was
recorded compared with stations in the
Dublin area. A slow-moving front at the
• Limerick
<40mm
40-60mm
60-80mm
Clonmel •
80-100mm
>100mm
Cork •
2-day rainfall totals,
09UTC on 29th to 09UTC on 31st
Above and right
Very heavy rain at the end
of the month over the
south of the country
brought significant flooding
in places. Two-day totals of
around 100mm were
recorded on the 29th and
30th over parts of
Waterford, south Tipperary
and east Cork. The centre
of Clonmel, pictured right,
was flooded when the river
Suir burst its banks.
(picture Irish Examiner)
3
end of the month brought 2-day falls of
more than 50mm over southern and
midland areas; this heavy rain falling on
saturated ground caused some significant
flooding, especially in Clonmel, Co.
Tipperary (see below). Stormy conditions at
times resulted in damaging gusts over land
and waves of over 10 metres on Atlantic
coasts; a depression of central pressure
946hPa near the north coast on the 17th
produced the highest January gusts for
between 16 and 52 years at some western
and southern stations. Temperatures were
close to normal for much of the time, but
rose above normal at the end of the
month, while most sunshine was recorded
between the 22nd and 28th.
Wind and elements: Mean windspeeds
for the month were close to normal
everywhere, varying between 8 and 12
knots generally (15 and 22km/h), up to 17
knots (31km/h) at Malin Head. They were
light during the first third of the month
but much stronger thereafter. The month’s
strongest winds were on the 17th, when
the highest gust of 94 knots (174km/h)
was recorded at Belmullet, equalling the
previous highest gust at the station,
recorded in January 1957. Thunderstorms
were recorded on the 10th, 12th, in the
period 17th to 20th and on the 22nd and
25th. Hail and snow were observed
between the 17th and 25th.
4
WIND & ELEMENTS
January 2009
ELEEMEENTS
WIND (KNOTS)
County /
Station
Mean
speed
CO. CARLOW
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 Aerodrome
CO. KERRY
Valentia Observatory
CO. MAYO
Belmullet
Knock Airport
CO. OFFALY
Birr
CO. WESTMEATH
Mullingar
CO. WEXFORD
Johnstown Castle
Max. 10-min. mean
dir. speed date/hour
Max. Gust
dir. speed date/time
Days with
Hours with
gales gale gusts gale gusts
Fog
180° 38 17/15
180° 53 17/1524
1
8
62
7.3
170° 30 17/14
170° 53 17/1504
0
3
16
9.3
180° 40 17/14
230° 64 17/1607
1
6
27
2
0
3
1
4
13.3
9.9
170° 51 17/12
200° 40 17/14
200° 66 17/1428
190° 71 17/1257
5
1
14
10
214
59
4
0
1
0
11
16.5
140° 44 17/16
170° 64 17/1547
8
22
225
6
0
7
1
0
11.9
12.0
180° 38 17/15
180° 45 17/15
180° 59 17/1442
170° 62 17/1440
1
3
13
14
85
106
3
4
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
11.2
210° 40 17/14
190° 61 17/1224
1
17
131
0
0
8
3
0
14.6
10.8
220° 52 17/15
160° 42 17/14
230° 94 17/1516
160° 63 17/1330
5
1
19
12
224
81
5
9
0
4
8
2
2
0
1
16
8.1
200° 32 17/15
190° 50 17/1409
0
6
21
2
1
0
0
2
7.1
180° 29 17/14
180° 47 17/1508
0
1
12
8.1
170° 28 17/14
190° 47 17/1506
0
6
55
N
Elements are
not available for
automatic stations
Dublin Airport
Calm: 0.0%
NW
N
NW
NE
NE
8%
8%
6%
6%
4%
4%
2%
2%
W
E
SE
SW
Thunder
8.2
Valentia Observatory
Calm: 0.0%
Snow Snow Lying Hail
W
E
SW
SE
S
S
1-10 knots
>10 knots
PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION
MARINE OBSERVATIONS FROM
IRISH MARINE DATA BUOY NETWORK
Wind Direction
degrees from north
5
MARINE & PRESSURE
January 2009
360
300
Sea
surface
temp.
Buoy
200
Mean
wind
speed
(°C)
100
(knots)
Max.
10-min
wind
Mean
wave
height
Max.
wave
height
5.0
(knots)
(m.)
(m.)
M2
9.3
17.2
43
1.7
M3
10.5
18.2
38
5.0 11.1
M4
10.5
n/a
n/a
4.6 10.7
M5
9.1
16.7
39
3.0
7.0
M6
11.8
21.3
42
n/a
n/a
0
Wind Speed
40
knots
30
20
10
Malin
Head
0
Sea Temperature
13
Summary of Mean Monthly Values
12
°C
7.2
z Malin Head
11
10
M4 
9
8
Wave Height
12
metres
10
8
 M2
M6
6
4
2
0
10
15
20
DATE
25
 M5
31
M3 
Hourly wind and wave conditions at M3 (51.2°N, 10.5°W)
1000
70˚N
992
L
987
00
08
08
1024
50˚N
1016
40˚N
H
1029
20
˚N
10
24
24
•
Valentia Observatory
2
3
— —
1
4
5
6
7
8
•
— —
1016
10
30˚N
Monthly mean MSL pressure, based on 1200 UTC values
20˚W
1040
1030
1020
1010
1000
990
980
970
960
60˚N
992
10
10
1016
10
Mean sea level pressure values for the month varied
between 1001hPa in the northwest and 1007hPa in
the southeast, between 5hPa and 8hpa below normal
for January. After a spell of high pressure during the
first ten days, low pressure dominated for much of
the remainder of the month. The month’s highest
pressure value of 1033.5hPa was measured at Malin
Head on the 2nd, while the lowest pressure of
965.0hPa was recorded at Belmullet during the early
morning of the 25th.
16
MEAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
80˚N
008
1015
10
16
5
1000
1
0˚
20˚E
Malin Head
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Mean daily Mean Sea Level pressure (hPa)
6
AGMET / LABORATORY
Soil Temperatures at 0900UTC
3.9
(-0.2)
Mean 100mm
Soil Temperatures (°C)
at 0900UTC
2.2
2.9
(-0.3)
5.8
(+0.2)
3.5
(-0.3)
2.7
(-1.0)
3.9
(-0.5)
3.5
(-0.9)
4.0
(-0.5)
0/-5
-5/-2
2/-10
1/-10
2/-7
4/0
4/-10
5/-6
5/-4
Soil Moisture Deficits (mm)
10th of month / end of month
11/-3
-10/-2
(0 represents field capacity,
-10 saturation)
3/-7
Chemical Analysis of Precipitation and Air Samples
at Valentia Observatory
electrical conductivity (μS/cm)
PRECIPITATION
310
250
8
pH and electrical conductivity are
not available on dry days (<0.2mm)
200
7 pH
150
6
100
5
50
4
0
3
NO2-N
  
data shown here are interim values and are subject to change
AIR
7
„ „ „
SO4-S
z z z
(μgs/m3)
2.7
3.3
3.5
2.8
3.5
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.5
5.3
4.5
4.7
4.3
4.0
6.6
3.7
5.4
4.8
4.8
7.3
4.4
5.9
5.0
5.8
7.8
5.1
3.9
5.2
6.2
2.8
2.9
3.5
3.6
3.5
4.1
4.0
4.0
4.6
5.8
6.6
7.7
3.6
4.1
3.0
4.0
3.7
4.7
3.3
2.2
5.3
6.1
2.9
3.8
2.6
3.2
3.6
2.8
3.7
4.8
3.3
4.1
4.9
5.2
2.9
3.6
4.1
3.5
3.7
4.0
4.2
4.7
4.4
4.3
5.7
4.9
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.
6
SO2-S
100mm 200mm 300mm
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CARRON
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
CORK AIRPORT
SHERKIN ISLAND
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
CO. LOUTH
ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE)
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
STRAIDE
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
CO. OFFALY
BIRR
CO. TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
2.8
2.8
(-0.8)
°C
County/
Station
(difference from 1961-90 normals
in brackets)
4.7
(-0.1)
January 2009
5
4
3
Conductivity measures the
total ion activity in the
rainfall, i.e. the higher the
conductivity the greater the
number of ions present.
2
1
0
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
TEMPERATURE (°C)
days with air frost
degree days > 4.4°C
degree days > 10.0°C
lowest "grass-min."
date
days with ground frost
mean 10cm at 0900h
mean 30cm at 0900h
-
-
3.0
5.8
5.3
4.7 -0.3
-6.7
-2.0
-2.8
-6.7
7
20
21
7
4 7
3 23
5 20
12 50
0
1
1
2
-9.0
-4.4
-4.0
-9.0
7 7
14 7
21 8
7 22
3.1
5.2
4.7
4.3
4.1
5.6
5.2
5.0
0.4
2.5
2.7
1.9
3.3
5.4
5.4
4.7
0.3
-2.6
-0.6
-0.5
-2.6
6
13
21
6
4 6
2 17
1 18
7 41
0
1
0
1
-6.1
-2.9
-2.2
-6.1
6 8
14 5
21 6
6 19
-
-
-
-
7.4
9.3
9.3
8.7
1.4
4.0
3.5
3.0
4.4
6.7
6.4
5.9
0.2
-1.3
0.6
1.3
-1.3
8
19
21
8
4
0
0
4
12
27
26
64
1
2
1
4
-4.8
-0.8
-0.8
-4.8
8 6
20 4
24 5
8 15
-
-
8.5
7.1
15.6
31.2
-
1
6
4
11
5.9
8.1
8.8
7.6
-1.1
2.3
1.1
0.8
2.4
5.2
5.0
4.2
0.0
-5.0
-1.9
-1.6
-5.0
7
14
28
7
6 5
2 17
4 17
12 40
0
1
0
1
-6.0
-3.2
-1.5
-6.0
7 9
14 4
26 8
7 21
1.5
4.4
3.3
3.0
3.0
4.4
3.8
3.7
-
-
1
9
na
na
6.7
9.2
9.6
8.5
0.0
3.0
2.1
1.7
3.4
6.1
5.9
5.1 -0.3
-6.5
-2.9
-3.1
-6.5
7
14
21
7
5 8
2 25
4 25
11 58
0
1
1
2
-8.5
-4.5
-4.9
-8.5
7 5
14 4
21 4
7 13
-
4.1
6.1
5.5
5.2
12.6 17.3 23.5 53.4 102
1 1
9 6
- 11 8
113 21 15
6.0
8.5
8.9
7.8
0.3
3.7
2.5
2.2
3.2
6.1
5.7
5.0 -0.3
-4.0
-0.1
-0.5
-4.0
7
14
21
7
4 6
1 23
2 21
7 50
0
0
0
0
-9.3
-4.2
-4.6
-9.3
7 10 1.8 3.0
14 6 4.9 5.5
21 5 4.1 4.6
7 21 3.6 4.4
17.3 13.8 31.4 62.5 113
-1.5
2.8
2.1
1.1
1.7
5.3
5.2
4.1
Co. Cork
Fermoy
1-10
6.0 4 1
11-20 100.6 - 10 10
21-end 106.0 - 10 8
month 212.6 182 24 19
6.3
8.6
8.9
7.9
-0.3
2.9
1.6
1.4
Co. Donegal
Glenties
1-10 41.3 4 2
11-20 107.7 - 10 9
21-end 121.2 - 11 9
month 270.2 159 25 20
6.1
8.2
8.1
7.5
Co. Kerry
Ardfert
1-10
7.3
11-20 90.7
21-end 62.4
month 160.4
-
2
10
10
22
2
10
8
20
Co. Louth
Ardee
1-10
11-20
21-end
month
2
9
6
83 17
Co. Waterford
Dungarvan
1-10
8.5 11-20 87.0 21-end 122.7 month 218.2 -
1.9
35.5
34.6
72.0
4
10
na
na
MEASURED POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (P.E.)
AND SOIL MOISTURE
P.E. (mm)
Period
Amount
1-10
11-20
21-end
month
7.9
26.1
12.5
46.5
1-10
Johnstown Castle 11-20
21-end
month
1.4
5.0
Valentia Obs.
Soil Moisture (mm)
Deficit Accum’ltd Deficit Surplus
2
-
9
0
0
143
102
1
10
0
not available
57
Co. Wexford
MONTHLY EVAPORATION (MM) FROM CLASS A PAN
County
Clare
Cork
Kerry
Kildare
Mayo
Offaly
Waterford
Wexford
Station
Monthly
Rainfall (mm)
Kilmaley
n/a
Fermoy (Moorepark)
212.7
Valentia Observatory
290.6
Poulaphuca
99.2
Newport (Furnace)
143.8
Derrygreenagh
105.4
Dungarvan (Carriglea)
218.2
Johnstown Castle
122.5
Monthly
Evaporation (mm)
n/a
16.8
54.4
1.1
1.6
4.1
7.9
16.1
P.E. (Penman)
19.9
11.5
31.7
63.1
% of average
date
6 8
14 5
24 7
6 20
4.9
7.7
8.3
7.0
1
7
7
15
total no. of hours
lowest min.
-8.7
-5.5
-5.9
-8.7
mean daily
0
1
1
1
mean min.
6 4
1 17
2 18
9 39
mean max.
7
14
24
7
rain days
wet days
-5.0
-1.8
-1.1
-5.0
1
9
10
20
1-10
3.0
11-20 55.2
21-end 68.6
month 126.8
Station
Co. Kerry
(HOURS)
-
-
Co. Cavan
Cavan (Loreto)
Co. Wexford
1-10
4.8
Johnstown Castle 11-20 57.5
21-end 60.2
month 122.5
SUNSHINE
diff. from average
(MM)
% of average
period
RAINFALL
amount
10-DAY VALUES FOR SELECTED
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL
STATIONS
Station
7
AGMET
January 2009
-
19.7 12.1 18.2 50.0 108
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
(MJ/sq.m.)
Station
total(mm) 1st-10th 11th-20th 21st-end
Co.Carlow
20.45
19.67
29.81
10
Carlow (Oak Park)
Co.Cavan
19.75
15.81
31.71
8
Ballyhaise
Co.Clare
13
Shannon Airport
Co.Cork
8
Cork Airport
20.64
23.26
31.06
Roche’s Point
Co.Donegal
17.31
17.26
24.37
17
Malin Head
Co.Dublin
22.79
18.03
31.76
13
Dublin Airport
12
Casement Aerodrome
Co Kerry
22.97
20.95
31.01
23
Valentia Obs.
Co.Mayo
20.25
16.34
28.91
15
Belmullet
7
Knock Airport
Co.Offaly
24.26
20.04
33.15
11
Birr
Co.Westmeath
22.54
16.34
30.45
9
Mullingar
Co.Wexford
20.09
21.20
29.21
13
Johnstown Castle
Total
69.30
67.27
74.96
58.94
72.58
74.93
65.50
77.45
69.33
70.50
8
DIARY
Thursday 1st: Bitterly cold overnight with frost in many areas. The frost
cleared only slowly during the morning and it was a dry, very cold and misty
day with some sunny spells. Frost set in again quickly after dark where skies
cleared, while patches of drizzle developed along the south coast. Light to
moderate southeasterly winds were fresh and gusty at times on exposed coasts.
Rainfall: nil to trace
Temperature: max. 2°C to 10°C, min. -3°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -8°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: nil to 3 hours, sunniest at Malin Head
Friday 2nd: A dry day throughout. Cloudy in most places with a few sunny
breaks, but long spells of sunshine developed in the west. Cold with ground
frost returning after dark, mostly in midland and western parts, where there
were breaks in the cloud. Winds were light easterly.
Rainfall: nil
Temperature: max. 3°C to 8°C, min. -1°C to 6°C, ground temperatures
down to -6°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Belmullet, nil at Cork Airport
Saturday 3rd: Cold overnight with ground frost slow to clear. Dry throughout
and mainly overcast with most sunshine in the east. Ground frost returning
after dark. Winds were light, southerly in direction.
Rainfall: nil
Temperature: max. 2°C to 9°C, min. -3°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
down to -7°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: nil to 2 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport
Sunday 4th: Some outbreaks of rain or drizzle in the midlands and east for a
time during the day but otherwise dry, cold and misty with some fog patches.
Short sunny spells in the afternoon. Extremely cold after dark with sub-zero air
temperatures and sharp to severe ground frost, with patches of freezing fog
also. Milder along Atlantic coastal areas with rain moving into the west. Winds
were generally light, sometimes moderate, variable or southwesterly.
Rainfall: nil to 1mm generally, 5mm at Valentia
Temperature: max. 3°C to 9°C, min. -5°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
down to -8°C at Casement Aerodrome
Sunshine: nil to 3 hours, sunniest at Malin Head and Shannon Airport
Monday 5th: Light rain or drizzle overnight in the north and northeast and
also in the southwest kept temperatures up in these areas, but a severe frost set
in across the middle of the country, with freezing fog in places. The rain in the
southwest died out around dawn, while rain in the northeast spread along the
Leinster coast and died out in the late morning. A dry day followed with
sunshine in most areas, although it remained cloudy in the southwest. Winds
were very light, easterly or variable.
Rainfall: nil to <1mm generally, 3mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 3°C to 9°C, min. -5°C to 4°C, ground temperatures below
zero at all inland stations, down to -10°C at Casement Aerodrome
Sunshine: <1 to 7 hours, sunniest at Belmullet, <1 hour at Knock Airport
Tuesday 6th: Cold during the night with a very sharp to severe frost in all
areas. Frost persisted in many areas throughout the period. Dry with some
sunny spells. Winds were light variable, a little stronger in the extreme north.
Rainfall: nil
Temperature: max. 0°C to 6°C, min. -7°C to 0°C, ground temperatures
below zero at all stations, down to -14°C at Birr
Sunshine: 1 to 7 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 1 hour at Valentia
Wednesday 7th: Very cold overnight. Some patches of drizzle in western
and northern areas. Some sunny spells during the day. Temperatures fell again
quickly after dark and freezing conditions returned to most areas, apart from
western and northwestern coastal areas. Fog returned to inland areas and was
dense in places. Winds were light, south or southwesterly in direction.
Rainfall: nil generally, 2mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 2°C to 8°C, min. -7°C to 4°C, ground temperatures below
zero at all inland stations, down to -12°C at Birr
Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, nil at Malin Head
Thursday 8th: Severe frost overnight inland, milder near western coasts. The
frost cleared during the morning and it was a dry day countrywide. Dull in the
west, sunshine elsewhere. Cold. Frost returned to the midlands and east after
dark. Winds were light throughout, southeast to southwesterly in direction.
Rainfall: nil
January 2009
Temperature: max. 3°C to 8°C, min. -6°C to 6°C, ground temperatures
below zero at all inland stations, down to -10°C at Mullingar
Sunshine: nil to 7 hours, sunniest in east, nil in west and north
Friday 9th: Some patchy rain and drizzle in the south during the morning,
leading to black ice in places as it fell on already frozen ground. This died out
by noon and although it remained cloudy in the south, there were long sunny
spells over the rest of the country. Winds were southerly, light to moderate
with stronger gusts in the northwest and north.
Rainfall: nil to trace generally, <1mm at Cork Airport
Temperature: max. 5°C to 10°C, min. -4°C to 6°C, ground temperatures
down to -9°C at Casement Aerodrome
Sunshine: <1 to 7 hours, sunniest at Malin Head, <1 hour at Cork Airport
Saturday 10th: After a dry start, a band of heavy rain reached the northwest
by mid-morning and spread quickly southeastwards, turning to showers by the
afternoon. Dull throughout. Another band of rain approached from the
southwest during the evening, giving some very heavy falls. Milder than recent
days. Very strong and gusty southerly winds.
Rainfall: trace to 29mm, heaviest at Valentia, trace at Dublin Airport
Temperature: max. 8°C to 11°C, min. 2°C to 8°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Dublin Airport
Sunshine: nil generally, <1 hour at Malin Head
Sunday 11th: Relatively mild, humid and windy overnight with outbreaks of
rain, heavy at times near Atlantic coasts. Dull, wet and very windy for the rest
of the day and evening. Afternoon temperatures were a few degrees above
normal in most areas. Fresh to strong and very gusty southwesterly winds,
reaching gale force on exposed coasts.
Rainfall: 6 to 29mm, heaviest at Valentia, 6mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 8°C to 10°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to trace
Monday 12th: Showers overnight in all areas, some heavy. The showers
cleared most parts by mid-morning and there were some sunny spells in the
afternoon, particularly in the northwest. Rain approached the south during the
afternoon and slowly moved northwards over the country, giving some heavy
falls in the southeast. Winds were moderate southwesterly, becoming light.
Rainfall: trace to 6mm, heaviest at Dublin Airport, trace at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 9°C to 11°C, min. 3°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to zero at Claremorris and Knock Airport
Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Knock Airport, nil at Cork Airport
Tuesday 13th: Showers in western areas during the night, some light rain or
drizzle in other areas. Dry spells during the day with sunny periods in many
places. Isolated showers also, but rainfall amounts were quite small.
Temperatures during the day up to normal values. Frost setting in after dark,
sharp to severe in many inland areas. Winds were southwesterly, mainly light.
Rainfall: trace to 6mm, heaviest at Shannon Airport, trace at Roche’s Point
Temperature: max.5°C to 9°C, min. -1°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
down to -6°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: 2 to 6 hours, sunniest at Birr, 2 hours at Shannon Airport
Wednesday 14th: After a very cold start, milder, wet and windy weather
moved into the southwest during the night and pushed northeastwards over
the country during the day. It was a dull, wet and windy day generally with very
heavy rain in places, especially in the south and southwest. Mild with little or
no sunshine. Light southeasterly winds overnight increased fresh to strong and
gusty and became more southerly in direction.
Rainfall: 1 to 21mm generally, 41mm at Valentia, 1mm at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 10°C to 12°C, min. -2°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -6°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: nil
Thursday 15th: After a dry start, showers spread into the west and southwest
during the morning, crossing the country during the afternoon and evening,
producing short heavy falls in places. Very little sunshine. Winds were
moderate variable, increasing strong in the west and north, later decreasing
moderate.
Rainfall: trace to 8mm, heaviest at Carlow (Oak Park)
Temperature: max. 9°C to 12°C, min. 2°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to zero at Cork Airport
Sunshine: nil to 2 hours, sunniest at Malin Head, nil at Valentia
January 2009
DIARY
Friday 16th: Rain reached the west before dawn and spread gradually
eastwards across the country, affecting most parts. A few sunny spells
during the day, but mostly cloudy. Another band of rain crossed the
country from the west during the evening. No frost. Winds were south to
southwesterly, strong to gale force in many areas with stronger gusts.
Rainfall: nil to 12mm, heaviest at Valentia, nil at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 9°C to 11° min. 3°C to 6°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: 1 to 3 hours, sunniest at Valentia 1 hour at Dublin Airport
Saturday 17th: Cold with scattered showers overnight. Rain reached the west
coast around noon and moved eastwards across the country, giving some very
heavy falls of rain, sleet or snow. Similar showers continued throughout the
evening. Very little sunshine. Winds were westerly, storm force in many areas
with gusts up to 94 knots at Belmullet, equalling the station’s all-time record.
Rainfall: 7 to 27mm, heaviest at Valentia, 7mm at Roche’s Point
Temperature: max. 6°C to 10° min. 0°C to 4°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Knock Airport
Sunshine: nil to >1 hour, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome, nil at Belmullet
Sunday 18th: Heavy wintry showers countrywide overnight and for much
of the day, with the heaviest showers in the west. The showers died out in
the late afternoon, but a band of rain later reached the southwest and
moved northeastwards. Winds were strong southwesterly, becoming
moderate and backing southeasterly later.
Rainfall: 2 to 13mm, heaviest at Valentia, 2mm at Johnstown Castle
Temperature: max. 4°C to 9°C, min. 0°C to 4°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Birr
Sunshine: trace to 4 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, trace at Knock Airport
Monday 19th: Wintry showers continued overnight and during the day, with
heavy and occasionally thundery showers moving in from the Atlantic during
the morning, heaviest and most frequent over the western half of the country.
Cold, cloudy in the west, some sunshine further east. Winds were west or
southwesterly, moderate to strong.
Rainfall: 3 to 12mm, heaviest at Valentia, 3mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 3°C to 8°C, min -1°C to 2°C, ground temperatures
down to -3°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: trace to 4 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, trace at Valentia
Tuesday 20th: Wintry showers overnight, mainly in the west. Generally dry in
the south and east during the morning, with showers continuing in the north
and west. Showers in all areas by afternoon. Sunny spells in the extreme south,
dull elsewhere. Cold. Winds were mainly westerly, moderate to strong and
gusty.
Rainfall: nil to 14mm, heaviest at Belmullet, nil at Carlow (Oak Park)
Temperature: max. 3°C to 8°C, min. -1°C to 3°C, ground temperatures
down to -5°C at Cork Airport
Sunshine: nil to <1hour generally, 3 hours at Cork Airport
Wednesday 21st: Very cold overnight with scattered wintry showers. After
a relatively dry start, rain moved into the southwest during the morning and
spread northeastwards. Further bands of rain swept northeastwards over
the country during the evening, heavy at times. Winds were southwest to
southeasterly, moderate to fresh and gusty.
9
Temperature: max. 6°C to 8°C, min. -1°C to 3°C, ground temperatures
down to -5°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: 2 to 7 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, 2 hours at Malin Head
Saturday 24th: Cold overnight with scattered wintry showers, mainly in the
west. A cold, largely dry day with sunny spells in most areas, but heavy rain in
the southwest moved northeastwards later. Winds were southwest to
southeasterly, fresh to strong and gusty by evening.
Rainfall: nil to 7mm generally, 21mm at Valentia, nil at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 4°C to 9°C, min. -1°C to 3°C, ground temperatures
down to -5°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: <1 to 4 hours, sunniest at Malin Head, <1hour at Valentia
Sunday 25th: Heavy wintry showers in the west moved northeastwards
overnight. A cool day with sunny spells and showers, wintry in the northwest.
Winds were cyclonic, strongest in the north and west.
Rainfall: 2 to 23mm, heaviest at Knock Airport, 2mm at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 6°C to 9°C, min. 0°C to 4°C, ground temperatures
down to -4°C at Shannon Airport
Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Knock Airport, nil at Malin Head
Monday 26th: Mostly dry at first with some sunny periods and isolated
showers in northern areas. During the afternoon, rain spread into western areas
and reached the east coast by late evening. Winds were light northwesterly,
becoming southwesterly and strengthening with gale gusts.
Rainfall: trace to 4mm generally, 15mm at Valentia, trace at Johnstown Castle
Temperature: max. 7°C to 11°C, min. 0°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -4°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 2 to 6 hours, sunniest at Birr, 2 hours at Valentia
Tuesday 27th: A band of showers cleared the east coast early in the night.
Cloudy during the morning with showers in places. Generally dry in the
afternoon with a few sunny spells. Heavy rain affected the southeast during the
evening. Winds were light to moderate, southerly in direction.
Rainfall: trace to 5mm, heaviest at Shannon Airport, trace at Cork Airport
Temperature: max. 8°C to 11°C, min. 1°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
down to -3°C at Shannon Airport
Sunshine: nil to 1 hour generally, 3 hours at Belmullet
Wednesday 28th: Overnight patches of frost and fog, clearing slowly during
the morning. Generally dry throughout with some sunny spells. Winds were
light at first, but south to southeasterly winds increased along western coasts
with occasional gale gusts.
Rainfall: nil to trace
Temperature: max. 8°C to 11°C, min. -2°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
down to -6°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine:1 to 7 hours, sunniest at Casement Aerodrome,1 hour at Knock Airport
Thursday 29th: Dry at first, but a narrow band of heavy rain moved into
the west before dawn, dying out by mid-morning. More persistent rain
reached the west coast by noon and spread northeastwards, giving some
heavy falls. Mainly cloudy. Winds were southeasterly, moderate to strong.
Rainfall: nil to 20mm, heaviest at Valentia, nil at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 8°C to 13°C, min. 3°C to 8°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to trace generally, >1 hour at Casement Aerodrome
Rainfall: 1 to 24mm, heaviest at Valentia, 1mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 8°C to 12°C, min. -2°C to 3°C, ground temperatures
down to -6° at Cork Airport
Sunshine: nil to trace
Friday 30th: Mild, wet and windy overnight with persistent rain in the south.
Rain continued throughout the day in all areas, heaviest in the south, where
flooding occurred in places. Little or no sunshine. Winds were southeasterly,
moderate to fresh and gusty, easing in the west during the evening.
Thursday 22nd: Early rain in the east and northeast was followed by showers
affecting all areas at times, heaviest in the west. Sunny spells in the east and
north during the morning. Heavy rain in the south during the evening. Winds
were southwest or westerly, strong with severe gusts in the northwest.
Rainfall: 1 to 50mm, heaviest at Cork Airport, 1mm at Belmullet
Temperature: max. 10°C to 12°C, min. 5°C to 7°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil
Rainfall: 3 to 12mm, heaviest at Johnstown Castle, 3mm at Claremorris
Temperature: max. 9°C to 11°C, min. 1°C to 5°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, nil at Valentia
Friday 23rd: A cold day with a fresh and gusty westerly wind. Some sunny
spells. Showers, some of hail and sleet, mostly in the west and north. The
showers were mostly confined to western coasts by evening. Frost after
dark. Winds were westerly, moderate to strong and gusty.
Rainfall: nil to 10mm, heaviest at Malin Head, nil in east
Saturday 31st: Outbreaks of heavy rain overnight with flooding in the south.
A cloudy, misty day with rain, heavy in some western areas. The rain cleared in
parts of Munster during the afternoon, where there were dry periods with
some sunshine, while falls in other areas became light. Winds were easterly,
moderate to fresh.
Rainfall: 1 to 12mm, heaviest at Knock Airport, 1mm at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 6°C to 10°C, min. 4°C to 6°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Valentia
Sunshine: nil to 5 hours, sunniest at Valentia, nil in north and east
10
Wetter than
normal generally,
especially in south
January rainfall totals were a
little below normal in parts of
the north and east, but it was a
wet month generally, with almost
twice the normal rainfall
recorded at some stations in the
south. There was a wide
variation in monthly totals,
ranging from 57mm at Dublin
(Phoenix Park) to 306mm at
Maam Valley, Co. Galway, with
percentage of normal values
between 79% at Phoenix Park
and 182% at Fermoy
(Moorepark), Co. Cork. At both
this latter station and at Valentia
Observatory it was the wettest
January since 1974.
Very little rain was recorded during
the first nine days of the month,
but rain fell on each day thereafter
and was heavy at times, especially in
the south and west. The wettest
days were the 10th/11th, 14th,
17th, 21st and 29th/30th. By the
end of the month, significant
flooding developed in the south of
the country after 2-day falls of over
50mm in places (see page 3). The
month’s highest daily fall, 41.0mm,
was measured at Dungarvan
(Carriglea), Co. Waterford, on the
29th, the highest January daily fall at
the station since 1988. There were
between 11 and 15 wetdays (days
with 1mm or more of rainfall) during
the month at most eastern stations,
but more than 20 wetdays were
measured in many southern,
western and northwestern areas.
RAINFALL
County/
Station
January 2009
Total
% of
Amount 1961-90
(mm) average
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
113.4
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
125.2
CAVAN (LORETO COLLEGE)
126.8
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
120.5
CARRON
205.3
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
151.7
FERMOY (MOOREPARK)
212.7
CORK AIRPORT
201.9
SHERKIN ISLAND
167.3
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
234.9
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
98.8
GLENTIES HATCHERY
270.3
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 142.3
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
57.0
DUBLIN AIRPORT
62.0
CASEMENT AERODROME
59.6
DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE)
70.3
CO. GALWAY
GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.)
133.6
MAAM VALLEY
305.6
CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
203.4
BALLYGAR
145.1
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
290.6
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
160.4
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
205.7
CO. LOUTH
ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE)
72.0
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
142.6
STRAIDE
138.4
KNOCK AIRPORT
158.0
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
85.6
CO. OFFALY
BIRR
124.8
DERRYGREENAGH
105.4
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON
131.9
CO. TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
143.3
CO. WATERFORD
WATERFORD (TYCOR)
165.8
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
218.2
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
104.6
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
122.5
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK
166.6
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
186.3
Most in
a day / date
Number of
Raindays Wetdays
(>0.2mm) (>1mm)
140
15.9
14
19
15
135
39.5
38.9
30
30
19
20
15
15
123
124
15.0
19.7
11
17
22
26
19
21
182
136
120
33.9
36.6
38.3
17.9
38.3
30
29
29
21
29
21
24
24
23
24
20
19
20
21
19
87
159
131
11.4
34.1
16.5
17
10
30
25
25
22
20
20
19
79
10.0
8.7
13.1
10.8
11
17
11
30
17
18
17
20
11
13
12
15
15.2
40.9
24.4
32.8
24
21
21
31
20
24
24
22
20
22
23
17
31.1
14.8
10
14
22
22
21
20
38.6
29
24
22
83
18.5
30
17
11
115
103
15.5
20.9
26.7
17
17
24
24
23
22
22
20
19
101
14.8
17
20
16
164
120
34.5
15.7
30
30
19
20
17
15
18.0
24
22
18
20.1
18
21
18
22.6
41.0
14
29
19
21
16
17
30.2
30
19
16
22.2
26.4
30.9
30
14
14
15
19
21
12
17
15
93
102
112
118
134
174
145
113
150
11
RAINFALL
January 2009
Total rainfall (mm)
< 75
75 - 100
100 - 150
150 - 200
200 - 300
> 300
Percentage of normal rainfall
< 100%
100 - 125%
125 - 150%
150 - 175%
> 175%
Daily 0-24h rainfall values(mm)
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 1 1 12 1 3 14 1 5 16 1 7 18 1 9 20 2 1 22 2 3 24 2 5 26 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0 31
Valentia Observatory
Dublin Airport
Birr
12
TEMPERATURE
Mean temperatures
near normal, but coolest
January for at least 6 years
-1° to -0.5°C
-0.5° to 0°C
0° to +0.5°C
+0.5°C to +1°
Mean air temperatures for January were a little
above normal near Atlantic coasts, but it was a
cooler than normal month generally, especially
over the eastern half of the country. Mean
temperatures varied between 3.2°C at
Derrygreenagh, Co. Offaly, and 7.3°C at Valentia
Observatory. It was the coldest January since
2001 at the majority of stations and the coldest
since 1997 at Cork Airport.
The month began with both maximum and minmum
temperatures around three degrees below average.
The period between the 5th and 10th brought the
lowest values of the month, with widespread severe
air and ground frost. The month’s lowest air
temperature, -7.9°C, was recorded at Derrygreenagh
on the 7th, while the lowest grass minimum value of
-13.9°C was measured at Birr on the 6th. There was
a total of between 17 and 26 ground frosts at most
inland stations, well above the normal range for
January of between 14 and 18. Temperatures rose
above 10°C generally on only a few days during the
January 2009
Mean Temperature
(difference from 1961-90 normals)
month; the highest temperature of 13.1°C was
recorded at a number of stations on the 11th.
Daily 0-24h maximum temperatures (°C)
15
10
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 1 0 11 12 1 3 1 4 1 5 16 17 1 8 1 9 2 0 21 22 23 2 4 2 5 2 6 27 28 29 3 0 3 1
Daily 0-24h minimum temperatures (°C)
12
8
4
0
-44
-88
1
2
z
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 1 0 11 12 1 3 1 4 15 16 1 7 1 8 19 20 2 1 2 2 23 24 2 5 2 6 27 28 2 9 3 0 31
Valentia Observatory
z
Dublin Airport
z
Birr
County/
Station
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CAVAN LORETO COLLEGE
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CARRON
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
FERMOY (MOOREPARK)
CORK AIRPORT
SHERKIN ISLAND
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
GLENTIES HATCHERY
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL)
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE)
CO. GALWAY
GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.)
MAAM VALLEY
CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
BALLYGAR
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
CO. LOUTH
ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE)
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
STRAIDE
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
CO. OFFALY
BIRR
DERRYGREENAGH
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON
CO. TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
CO. WATERFORD
WATERFORD (TYCOR)
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
13
TEMPERATURE
January 2009
°C
Mean
max.
Mean/ deviation
Mean from 1961-90
min.
average
Highest
max./date
Lowest
min./date
7.1
0.5
3.8
11.6 29
-7.0
7
6.8
7.0
0.9
1.1
3.9
4.1
11.4 11
11.4 11
-5.7
-5.0
6
6 7
8.0
7.1
2.6
1.4
5.3
4.3
-0.1
0.0
13.0 11
11.4 10
-3.7
-5.3
8.2
7.9
7.4
9.4
7.8
3.8
1.4
2.1
4.9
0.8
6.0
4.7
4.8
7.2
4.3
-0.3
-0.3
-0.3
0.4
10.6
11.8
10.4
11.9
11.0
7.8
7.5
7.6
2.7
1.9
2.0
5.3
4.7
4.8
-0.1
0.3
0.1
7.3
7.2
7.1
7.5
1.2
1.2
1.4
2.9
4.3
4.2
4.3
5.2
-0.3
9.0
8.6
8.5
7.2
1.0
2.9
3.2
1.1
5.0
5.8
5.9
4.2
-0.3
9.6
8.7
5.0
3.0
7.3
5.9
0.5
0.2
7.6
2.4
5.0
7.6
0.8
4.2
8.5
7.3
5.8
3.1
1.2
0.7
7.3
-0.7
Lowest
grass min./date
Days with
air frost ground frost
-10.9
7
11
22
-9.1
-8.7
6
6
10
9
22
20
7
7
-9.2
-10.6
7
6
4
5
18
20
-1.6 7
-6.7 7
-1.8 21
-0.9 6
-5.0 7
-4.8
-9.0
-7.1
-2.6
-8.0
7
7
7
6
7
3
12
6
3
15
10
22
20
8
16
13.1 11
11.7 11
13.0 11
-1.1
-2.6
-1.8
6
6
7
-2.7
-6.1
6
6
1
7
3
13
19
11.9
11.8
11.8
12.6
11 15
11
30
11
-4.5
-4.2
-5.3
-1.4
7
5
7
8
-7.6 9
-8.0 10
-9.7 7
10
9
7
4
20
18
20
13.1
13.1
11.5
11.9
15
11
29
11
-6.0
-4.2
-0.1
-6.7
6
7
2
7
23
13
12.5 11 29
13.0 11
0.2
-1.3
11.8 11
0.0
5.8
4.3
3.3
1.1
7.4
7.0
-0.3
-0.7
11
11
11
29
12
-11.2
-8.9
6
6
-7.9
7
10
3
1
9
6
6 8
-6.4
-4.8
6
8
0
4
12
15
-2.2
7
-7.8
7
5
16
11.5 10
-5.0
7
-6.0
7
12
21
0.1
-0.4
12.8 11
12.7 11
10.6 11
-1.5
-7.0
-3.8
6
7
6 7
6
6
6 7
4
7
14
15
20
16
4.2
0.0
11.8 30
-6.1
6
-9.5
6
6
24
1.1
-0.6
4.3
3.2
-0.3
-0.6
12.2 11
11.2 29 30
-6.5
-7.9
6
7
-13.9
-11.8
6
7
6
21
23
24
7.3
2.5
4.9
12.5 11
-1.7
6
-5.3
6
2
20
6.6
1.0
3.8
10.7 11 29
-4.4
6 7
-6.2
6 7
12
17
8.3
8.5
2.3
1.7
5.3
5.1
0.0
-0.3
11.4 11
11.7 11
-4.7
-6.5
7
7
-8.5
7
5
11
13
6.8
0.2
3.5
-0.5
11.3 11
-7.3
7
-10.4
8
12
21
7.8
7.6
7.3
2.2
1.6
0.7
5.0
4.6
4.0
-0.3
-0.4
10.6 11
10.8 11
11.0 11
-4.0
-5.8
-7.1
7
7
7
-9.3
-9.0
-12.6
7
7
7
7
8
14
21
26
26
-6.2
-12.2
-6.2
21
14
SUNSHINE
County/
Station
Daily mean
(hours/day)
% of
% of
average possible
Most in
a day/date
CO. CAVAN
CAVAN LORETO COLLEGE
2.04
25
6.1 28
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
2.09
133
26
7.1
6
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
1.61
108
19
5.6
6 23
CORK AIRPORT
2.14
126
25
6.8 23
SHERKIN ISLAND
1.86
104
22
6.7 28
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
1.99
CO. CORK
6.5 23
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
1.79
149
23
6.7
9
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL)
1.75
131
22
5.6
9
DUBLIN AIRPORT
2.32
128
29
7.1
8
CASEMENT AERODROME
2.45
148
30
7.2
8
1.85
112
23
7.3 25
1.28
91
15
4.8 31
CO. DUBLIN
CO. GALWAY
GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.)
January 2009
Sunnier than normal
almost everywhere
Sunshine totals for January were above
normal almost everywhere, but it was a
duller than normal month in the
southwest. Totals ranged from 40 hours
at Valentia Observatory to 76 hours at
Casement Aerodrome, with percentage of
normal values between 91% of normal at
Valentia and 149% at Malin Head. It was
the sunniest January for between six and
eight years generally, but the dullest since
2002 at Valentia.
The sunniest periods of the month were the
6th to 9th and 22nd to 28th. The highest
daily value, 7.3 hours, was measured at
Galway (University College) on the 25th.
Global solar radiation totals were between
97% of normal at Valentia Observatory and
111% at Malin Head.
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
75 - 100%
100 - 125%
125 - 150%
> 150%
not available
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
1.73
STRAIDE
2.04
119
22
6.8
6.6 13
5
KNOCK AIRPORT
1.78
6.4 12
CO. OFFALY
BIRR
2.19
137
27
6.7 28
1.72
102
21
6.4 23
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
2.02
113
24
6.8 25
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK
1.87
118
23
6.4 23
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
1.99
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO. WEXFORD
6.3 23
Sunshine values are not available for automatic synoptic stations
Total Sunshine
(percentage of 1961-90 normals)
Daily sunshine values(hours)
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Valentia Observatory
9 1 0 11 1 2 13 1 4 15 1 6 17 1 8 19 2 0 21 2 2 23 2 4 25 2 6 27 2 8 29 3 0 31
Dublin Airport
Birr
15
WORLD WEATHER
January 2009
%
JANUARY RAINFALL
(percentage of
1961-1990 normal)
200
150
125
100
75
50
0
°C
+5
+3
+1
JANUARY MEAN
TEMPERATURE
(difference from
1961-1990 normal)
-1
-3
-5
Bitterly cold weather and widespread snowfall affected countries
in northern and central Europe at the beginning of the month.
In Poland, temperatures dipped down to -25°C, causing at least
10 deaths, while -28°C was recorded in the eastern German state
of Saxony. For the first time since 1996, an icebreaking ship was
used in Rotterdam to clear the port's waterways of ice.
A severe ice and snow storm affected large areas
of the southern and eastern United States between
the 26th and 28th, producing ice accumulations
that caused widespread damage and injury. At its
height, the winter storm was responsible for
power outages to 1.3 million residents. Worst
affected was Kentucky, where the storm cut power
to 700,000 residents and claimed 24 lives; a total
of 55 deaths resulted across all the affected states.
Global weather
highlights of
the month
A severe storm struck southwestern France
and northern Spain on the 24th, wreaking
havoc across the region. The storm's winds
of up to 190km/h caused a sports hall to
collapse in northeastern Spain, killing four
children and injuring 16 others. The strong
winds also destroyed buildings, caused
disruptions of power and phone services,
and was responsible for a total of 26
fatalities. According to reports, this was the
worst storm to hit southwestern France
and northern Spain since a December 1999
storm claimed 88 lives.
Data supplied by NOAA
Climate Prediction Centre,
US Department of Commerce
Torrential downpours during the first half of January
across parts of the Philippines brought flash floods
and landslides, resulting in the evacuation of nearly
200,000 people from affected areas. Eleven people
died, with eight others missing. Storm surges were
responsible for washing away hundreds of houses.
In Fiji, rain between the 8th and 16th caused floods and
landslides that forced thousands of people to evacuate
their homes. It was reported that in a period of five days,
more than 1044mm of rain fell over the town of
Monasavu on Viti Levu Island. The floods were described
as the worst in a generation, with 11 fatalities reported.
A heatwave over southern Australia
saw temperatures reach 45.5°C in
Adelaide, its highest value for 70 years.
16
NOTES ON THE TABLES
A. General
Location of
Synoptic and
Climatological
weather stations
used in the tables
1. Rainfall amounts are given in millimetres,
temperature in degrees Celsius, sunshine
duration in hours and wind speed in knots.
(1 knot=1.85 km/hour)
Malin Head •
2. Climatological stations (see map on left)
make their daily observations at 0900UTC.
At these stations, therefore, a 'day' for the
purposes of this publication refers to the
period from 0900UTC on a particular day to
0900UTC on the following day. Values at
synoptic stations refer to the same period
except where specified.
• Glenties
• Ballyshannon
• Ardtarmon
Belmullet •
Straide •
Connemara •
National Park
3. Mean soil and earth temperatures at all
stations are based on readings taken at
0900UTC.
• Ballyhaise
• Cavan (Loreto College)
• Knock Airport
• Maam Valley
• Ballygar
• U.C. Galway
• Mullingar
Derrygreenagh •
• Birr
• Carron
Fethard (Parsonshill) •
• Valentia
Observatory
• Ardee (Boharnamoe)
• Warrenstown
Phoenix
Park •
Casement •
Aerodrome
• Dublin Airport
• Merrion Square
• Carlow
• Shannon Airport
Ardfert •
(Liscahane)
January 2009
(Oak Park)
John F.
Kennedy • Clonroche
• Mountrussell
Park •
• Fermoy (Moorepark)
• Waterford • Johnstown Castle
• Dungarvan (Tycor)
Ballincurrig •
Cork Airport •
• Roche’s Point
• Sherkin Island
Synoptic weather stations are operated by Met Éireann and record all the major
meteorological elements on a 24-hour basis. Not all observed elements are available
for the synoptic stations at Ballyhaise, Carlow (Oak Park), Mullingar, Johnstown Castle
and Roche’s Point, where observations are automated. Climatological stations are
operated by private individuals and observations are made once a day at 0900UTC.
4. ‘Raindays’ and ‘wetdays’ are days during
which the total rainfall is not less than 0.2mm
and 1.0mm respectively. The term rainfall
includes all forms of precipitation, such as
snow and hail, and deposition from dew or
frost, measured as equivalent rain.
5. The mean daily air temperature over a
period is taken as the mean of the daily
maxima and daily minima (averaged separately
over the period).
6. Days with air frost are those during which
the minimum air temperature was below 0°C.
Similarly days with ground frost indicate days
when the grass minimum temperature was
below 0°C. (Grass minimum temperatures are
measured by a thermometer placed
horizontally on pegs just above the tips of short
grass.)
7. A gale is a mean wind over a 10 minute
period of 34 knots or more. A gale gust is a
gust of 34 knots or more. Wind speeds refer to
the wind at an effective height of 10 metres
above the ground, with the exception of Malin
Head, where the height is 18 metres.
8. 'e' denotes that the value is calculated using
one or more estimated readings.
9. Data from Northern Ireland is kindly
provided by the Belfast Weather Centre.
B. Agmet
10. Calculated Potential Evapotranspiration
(P.E.) values are based on values of
temperature, sunshine, wind speed and vapour
pressure using the FAO Penman_Monteith
equation. Because of formula limitations,
negative values can occur in winter; these are
replaced in the tables by zero. Measured P.E.
values are those measured by means of soilfilled tanks sunk into the ground with their
upper grass-c
covered ends at surface level.
11. Daily Soil Moisture Deficits are based on
moderately drained soils. Soil moisture deficits
and surpluses are computed from the
differences between rainfall, actual
evapotranspiration and drainage. Soil moisture
surpluses are assumed to be removed by
drainage and surface run-o
off and are therefore
not carried forward from one period to the
next. Soil moisture deficits are regarded as
being cumulative. Where heavy rain occurs
near the end of the fixed period, the date of
cut-o
off may be adjusted to avoid error due to
insufficient run-o
off time.
12. Degree day totals are calculated using the
method set out by McVicker in the Journal of
the Institution of Heating and Ventilating
Engineers (Vol. 14 No. 38, Nov-D
Dec 1946).
13. Global solar radiation values are given in
MJ/sq.m. correct to two decimal places
(3.6MJ=1kWh).
C. Laboratory
14. Daily samples of air and precipitation are
taken at Valentia Observatory at 1000UTC.
15. Air sample data are given in
microgrammes per cubic metre, electrical
conductivity in micro-S
Siemens per centimetre
and pH in pH units.