Monthly
y Weather
Bulletin
No. 270
OCTOBER 2008
Although it was a cool and wet month generally, October was also very sunny, particularly in the west and southwest, where some stations had their sunniest October
on record. This picture was taken at Monkstown, Co. Cork on a typically sunny evening. (picture Irish Examine)
COLDER, WETTER BUT SUNNIER
THAN NORMAL EVERYWHERE
Mean monthly air temperatures were below
normal everywhere, by around one degree
generally. They were close to normal for much
of the month, but dropped well below the
average during the final week, when falls of
hail, sleet or snow were also recorded. It was the
first month with below normal mean
temperatures at all stations since October 2004,
INSIDE
East African cyclone- page 2
Wind & Elements .......... 4
Marine & Pressur
e ....... 5
Pressure
Agmet /Lab
b
..................
6
/La
and it was the coldest October for 15 years in
the east of the country. There were between 12
and 17 ground frosts recorded in some inland
areas during the month, more than twice the
normal amount for October, with severe ground
frost in places at the end of the month. Dublin
Airport’s minimum air temperature of -1.3°C on
the 29th was its lowest for October since 1948.
Diary ..................... 8
R ainfall
ainfall .................. 10
Tempera
emperature
ture .......... 12
Sunshine ............... 14
Sunniest October
on record in west
World
ther ....... 15
orld wea
weather
Featur
e ................. 16
eature
Forecasting changes in fish
stocks caused by ocean warming
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
October 2008
SAUDI
ARABIA
9-day rainfall totals (mm)
between October 18th and 26th
25
YEMEN
Indian
Ocean
SOMALIA
50
100
150
200 250+
Tropical Storm 03B moved northwestwards across
the Gulf of Aden on the 22nd, before coming
ashore over southern Yemen on the 23rd.The
cyclone produced several days of heavy rain in the
region, equalling the totals normally recorded in a
full year in places. Up to 200mm of rain fell over
parts of south Yemen and eastern Somalia, with
between 50mm and 100mm in many other parts
of both countries.The rainfall chart above is
derived from radar sensors on board the NASA
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
satellite. The deluge brought destructive flooding
that resulted in at least 180 deaths; the depression
also had an unusual amount of electrical activity,
with nine deaths reported due to lightning strikes.
(images courtesy NASA Earth Observatory)
Monthly rainfall totals were above
normal for the fifth successive month;
since the beginning of June, stations in
the Dublin area have received around
80% of the amount normally recorded
in a full year. This month, many
stations had their wettest October since
2000. Some rainfall was measured on
each day, with heaviest daily falls on
the 4th, 9th/10th, 14th, 23rd and 25th.
Over the western half of the country,
there were between 22 and 25 wetdays
during the month (days with 1mm or
more rainfall), compared with the
normal range for October in this area
of between 17 and 22 wetdays. Despite
the high rainfall totals, it was a sunny
month everywhere, with around 30%
more sunshine than normal generally.
Shannon Airport had its sunniest
October since records began there in
1945. The highest daily sunshine values
were recorded between the 1st and 8th,
on the 21st and 31st.
1st to 26th: The month’s weather was
dominated by frontal systems associated
with Atlantic depressions, some of which
deepened considerably as they tracked to
the northwest of Ireland. These fastmoving systems brought rain or showers
each day, with heavy falls in all areas at
times. The 4th, 10th, 23rd and 25th were
particularly wet, bringing flooding locally;
Kenmare, Co. Kerry, suffered severe
flooding on the 23rd, with 2-day falls of
over 75mm in the area. Winds during this
period were strong at times and the week
between the 19th and 26th was very windy,
when southwest to westerly winds reached
gale to strong gale force. After a cool start
to the month during the first three days,
temperatures were close to normal for
most of the period. Slacker winds allowed
ground frost to become widespread in
inland areas on the 5th and 6th. Some
sunshine was recorded on most days, often
between showers, particularly during the
first week.
October 2008
3
WEATHER
27th to 31st: A cold front moving
southeastwards across the country on the
26th introduced a very cold Arctic
airstream over Ireland. Wintry showers,
some heavy, were recorded each day, with a
band of rain over all areas on the 29th
falling as sleet or snow as it moved
eastwards across the country; snow
accumulated in some northern and upland
areas. Both daytime and nightime
temperatures were between five and eight
degrees below normal, with widespread
ground frost, severe in places. Strong
north to northwesterly winds veered to a
more northeasterly direction later.
Wind and elements: Mean windspeeds
for the month were above normal
everywhere, varying between 8 and 14
knots generally (15 and 26km/h), up to 20
knots (37km/h) at Malin Head. These were
the highest mean values for October for
between 7 and 10 years. The month’s
strongest winds were in the period 19th to
26th; the highest gust, 67 knots (124km/h),
was recorded at Belmullet on the 25th, its
highest October gust since 2000. Thunder
was recorded on the 2nd, 20th, 21st, 26th,
27th and 30th. Hail showers were
widespread at times in the periods 1st to
3rd and 20th to 30th, with snow in places
on the 28th and 29th. Fog was most
widespread between the 6th and 15th.
Synoptic chart at 0000UTC on 28th
Visible satellite image at 1353UTC on 27th
Above and left
The month ended with a very cold northerly airstream over
Ireland, bringing frequent wintry showers.
(image courtesy Wokingham Weather, www.btinternet.com/~wokingham.weather)
4
WIND & ELEMENTS
October 2008
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. WEXFORD
Johnstown Castle
Days with
Hours with
gales gale gusts gale gusts
Fog
0
5
36
7.2
230° 21 23/15
230° 38 20/0913
0
2
6
9.4
220° 28 23/15
230° 42 20/0910
0
6
19
0
0
2
1
1
13.7
10.1
200° 39 23/13
220° 31 23/13
200° 49 23/1440
220° 47 23/1340
1
0
10
9
157
44
0
0
0
0
10
2/16
250° 64 23/1530
200° 64 25/0829
8
24
254
1
0
8
0
0
220° 47 23/1602
0
12
67
1
0
1
1
2
12.1
240° 32 20/06
230° 32 23/16
210° 35 25/10
210° 55 25/0909
3
10
81
1
0
1
0
2
10.6
200° 32 23/12
200° 48 23/1143
0
12
63
0
0
5
0
1
16.0
10.8
210° 46 23/13
250° 32 23/15
200° 67 25/0807
200° 49 23/1235
6
0
24
10
224
58
0
2
0
0
10
2
1
0
0
9
7.5
210° 22 25/07
250° 35 20/0944
0
4
7
10° 42
6.5
190° 20 23/14
190° 33 23/1027
190° 33 25/1027
0
0
0
8.0
200° 24 23/14
200° 40 23/1504
0
2
28
N
Elements are
not available for
automatic stations
Dublin Airport
Calm: 0.1%
NW
N
NW
NE
NE
8%
8%
6%
6%
4%
4%
2%
2%
W
E
SE
SW
Thunder
180° 37 23/1355
190° 37 25/0903
Valentia Observatory
Calm: 0.1%
Snow Snow Lying Hail
180° 26 10/02
190° 26 25/08
12.6
Casement Aerodrome
CO. KERRY
Valentia Observatory
CO. MAYO
Belmullet
Knock Airport
CO. OFFALY
Birr
CO. WESTMEATH
Mullingar
Max. Gust
dir. speed date/time
8.6
19.2
CO. DUBLIN
Dublin Airport
Max. 10-min. mean
dir. speed date/hour
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
October 2008
360
300
Buoy
200
Sea
surface
temp.
Mean
wind
speed
(°C)
100
(knots)
Max.
10-min
wind
Mean
wave
height
Max.
wave
height
(knots)
(m.)
(m.)
M2
n/a
20.7
42
1.7
4.9
M3
13.1
n/a
n/a
3.7
7.3
M4
12.8
n/a
n/a
4.3
8.5
M5
13.7
17.7
32
2.2
5.8
M6
14.1
20.3
38
3.3
6.3
0
Wind Speed
50
Wind speed values are for Buoy M5
knots
40
30
20
10
Malin 12.3
Head
0
Sea Temperature
16
Summary of Mean Monthly Values
°C
15
z Malin Head
14
13
M4 
12
11
Wave Height
14
12
 M2
metres
10
M6
8
6
4
2
0
10
15
DATE
20
25
 M5
31
M3 
10
0
Hourly wind and wave conditions at M3 (51.22°N, 10.55°W)
MEAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
00
10
L
993
70˚N
08
10
Mean sea level pressure values for the month varied
between 1008hPa in the north and 1014hPa in the
south; they were close to normal in the south but a
little below normal in the north. The lowest pressure
value of the month, 985.8hPa, was measured at
Malin Head on the 20th as a very deep depression
passed to the north of the country. Pressure
recovered quickly over subsequent days, and
Johnstown Castle measured the month’s highest
value of 1027.1hPa on the 24th.
1015
00
60˚N
10
1008
101
16
10
6
50˚N
102
4
H
1026
L
10
40˚N
24
10
L
1017
H
1019
Monthly mean MSL pressure, based on 1200 UTC values
30˚N
1030
1020
1010
1000
990
•
Valentia Observatory
5
6
— —
•
— —
Malin Head
980
1
2
3
4
7
8
1
5
100
1
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
9.5
(0.0)
Mean 100mm
Soil Temperatures (°C)
at 0900UTC
(difference from 1961-90 normals
in brackets)
10.4
(0.0)
7.4
9.1
(0.0)
10.5
(-0.2)
9.0
(-0.3)
8.4
(-1.1)
10.2
(-0.2)
9.6
(-0.9)
9.0
(-1.1)
-10/2
-10/0
-10/1
-10/1
-10/1
-8/1
-9/0
-10/1
-5/1
Soil Moisture Deficits (mm)
10th of month / end of month
-10/1
-10/1
(0 represents field capacity,
-10 saturation)
-10/1
electrical conductivity (μS/cm)
PRECIPITATION
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 4.5
  
4
3.5
SO2-S
3
„ „ „
2.5
2
SO4-S
1.5
z z z
(μgs/m3)
1
0.5
0
data shown here are interim values and are subject to change
AIR
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
TUCSON 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)
Chemical Analysis of Precipitation and Air Samples
at Valentia Observatory
250
°C
County/
Station
7.8
9.0
(-0.5)
October 2008
8.4
9.6
10.0
7.8
9.2
9.9
10.2
10.7
10.9
12.0
11.6
9.7
10.3
9.0
11.2
9.3
10.5
11.0
10.0
12.0
10.5
11.3
11.3
11.7
12.5
11.3
9.5
10.8
11.9
8.2
8.2
9.0
10.1
9.2
10.0
10.9
10.1
11.0
10.5
11.7
13.1
9.2
10.0
8.8
10.3
10.6
10.4
9.5
7.4
11.2
12.3
8.7
9.9
8.2
9.4
11.0
9.0
10.1
12.0
8.9
10.2
10.7
11.3
8.8
10.3
11.5
9.6
9.7
9.7
10.4
10.9
10.4
10.8
12.9
11.5
Acid rain occurs when
pollutants combine with
moisture in the air to form
sulphuric or nitric acid. pH is
the simplest way of
measuring the acidity of
precipitation. Usually pH of
7.00 is considered neutral
but this is not the case in
rainfall samples. Pure water
in the atmosphere has an
equilibrium pH value of 5.65
at 20°C owing to carbon
dioxide in the air dissolving
to form carbonic acid. Any
value below pH 5.65 is
considered acid while any
value above is considered
alkaline.
Sulphur dioxide and
sulphate in air contribute to
the formation of sulphuric
acid; nitrate in air contributes
to the formation of nitric acid.
Conductivity measures the
total ion activity in the
rainfall, i.e. the higher the
conductivity the greater the
number of ions present.
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
days with ground frost
1.0
2.4
-1.0
-1.0
5
12
31
31
0
0
1
1
58 15
57 12
34 5
150 32
0.1
0.1
-2.8
-2.8
5
12
31
31
10.9
11.1
7.5
9.8 -0.6
3.0
3.4
-2.2
-2.2
Co. Donegal
Glenties
1-10 96.1 - 10 10
11-20 40.9 9 8
21-end 138.5 - 11 10
month 275.5 153 30 28
14.1
13.3
10.4
12.5
5.9
6.8
3.7
5.4
10.0
10.1
7.1
9.0 -1.0
Co. Kerry
Ardfert
1-10 96.4
11-20 34.8
21-end 49.6
month 180.8
Co. Louth
Ardee
1-10
11-20
21-end
month
Co. Waterford
Dungarvan
1-10 50.1
11-20 34.8
21-end 38.2
month 123.1
47.5
16.6
27.7
91.8
Co. Wexford
1-10 74.3
Johnstown Castle 11-20 52.2
21-end 56.6
month 183.1
-
0
0
5
5
-
-
-
-
0
0
2
2
-
-
43.8
34.2
40.7
118.7
-
9.4
10.2
7.1
8.8
11.5
11.2
9.2
10.6
-
-
11.5
11.5
8.4
10.4 -0.6
4.2
6.0
-1.0
-1.0
5
17
31
31
0
0
1
1
70 22
71 20
46 7
187 49
2.4
3.4
-3.6
-3.6
5
17
31
31
7
5
6
113 18
6
3
5
14
14.6
14.0
10.6
13.0
4.6
5.9
2.5
4.3
9.6
10.0
6.6
8.7 -1.3
0.9
3.0
-2.0
-2.0
6
15
29
29
0
0
2
2
54 14
57 13
31 4
142 31
-2.5
-0.1
-5.5
-5.5
6 5
15 1
29 5
29 11
8
5
4
17
15.2
15.1
12.0
14.0
7.4
8.0
3.8
6.3
11.3
11.6
7.9
10.2 -0.7
3.2
4.0
-1.9
-1.9
8
17
29
29
0
0
1
1
69 21
72 23
43 8
184 52
2.0
2.4
-4.0
-4.0
3
17
29
29
0
0
2
2
-
12.2
12.5
9.5
11.3
44.5
22.9
54.0
121.4
138
- 10 5
6 3
- 10 6
170 26 14
13.9
14.6
11.3
13.2
7.6
9.1
4.7
7.1
10.8
11.9
8.0
10.2 -0.6
4.7
5.7
0.0
0.0
3
17
29
29
0
0
0
0
64 17
75 23
43 8
181 47
2.1
4.2
-2.7
-2.7
3
17
29
29
0
0
2
2
10.6
11.3
7.0
9.6
11.7
12.2
8.9
10.8
36.8
23.5
49.8
110.1
121
-
9
7
9
25
Soil Moisture (mm)
1-10
11-20
21-end
month
28.2
0.3
20.6
49.1
-
0
0
0
65
46
83
Deficit Accum’ltd Deficit Surplus
1-10
Johnstown Castle 11-20
21-end
month
37.0
14.0
5.2
56.2
-
0
0
0
25
51
51
Co. Wexford
MONTHLY EVAPORATION (MM) FROM CLASS A PAN
Clare
Cork
Kerry
Kildare
Mayo
Offaly
Waterford
Wexford
140
7.7
8.4
5.2
7.0
Amount
Station
42.9
19.9
49.8
112.6
15.2
14.5
11.6
13.7
Period
County
12.1
12.2
9.6
11.3
9
5
8
22
P.E. (mm)
Valentia Obs.
11.3
11.6
8.3
10.3
30.7 25.9 30.9 87.5
9
7
9
25
MEASURED POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (P.E.)
AND SOIL MOISTURE
Station
Co. Kerry
-
% of average
7.1
7.5
3.5
6.0
-
total no. of hours
14.7
14.7
11.5
13.5
1-10 48.5
11-20 26.0
21-end 33.4
month 107.9
lowest min.
6
5
5
16
amount
9
6
8
108 23
Co. Cork
Fermoy
- 1.7 6
- 2.6 15
- -1.0 29
- -1.0 29
mean 30cm at 0900h
date
3 3
18 2
29 7
29 12
9.4
9.6
6.8
8.5
mean 10cm at 0900h
lowest "grass-min."
-1.2
-0.7
-5.5
-5.5
5.2
5.9
3.2
4.7
degree days > 4.4°C
66 19
67 20
39 7
172 46
13.6
13.3
10.3
12.3
days with air frost
diff. from average
0
0
1
1
mean daily
8
17
29
29
mean min.
2
1
4
7
mean max.
6
15
31
31
rain days
wet days
-1.4
-0.5
-4.8
-4.8
8
6
7
21
1-10 65.3
11-20 26.5
21-end 42.9
month 134.7
(HOURS)
52 11
53 11
32 4
137 27
10
7
9
26
Co. Cavan
Cavan (Loreto)
SUNSHINE
0
0
2
2
-
period
degree days > 10.0°C
TEMPERATURE (°C)
(MM)
date
RAINFALL
% of average
10-DAY VALUES FOR SELECTED
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL
STATIONS
Station
7
AGMET
October 2008
Monthly
Rainfall (mm)
Kilmaley
n/a
Fermoy (Moorepark)
107.9
Valentia Observatory
244.8
Poulaphuca
144.6
Newport (Furnace)
249.4
Derrygreenagh
119.2
Dungarvan (Carriglea)
123.1
Johnstown Castle
183.2
Monthly
Evaporation (mm)
n/a
20.7
49.0
17.7
14.1
6.4
20.9
45.8
P.E. (Penman)
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
(MJ/sq.m.)
Station
total(mm) 1st-10th 11th-20th 21st-end
Co.Carlow
67.50
47.79
54.77
23
Carlow (Oak Park)
Co.Cavan
58.39
55.89
53.66
21
Ballyhaise
Co.Clare
25
Shannon Airport
Co.Cork
23
Cork Airport
78.15
52.71
65.92
n/a
Roche’s Point
Co.Donegal
52.69
58.27
44.97
36
Malin Head
Co.Dublin
72.97
52.86
59.10
28
Dublin Airport
27
Casement Aerodrome
Co Kerry
78.61
56.16
59.66
32
Valentia Obs.
Co.Mayo
66.17
65.74
50.78
30
Belmullet
21
Knock Airport
Co.Offaly
67.38
57.72
54.51
23
Birr
Co.Westmeath
62.56
54.39
54.01
22
Mullingar
Co.Wexford
68.37
54.77
59.78
25
Johnstown Castle
Total
170.06
167.94
196.78
155.93
184.93
194.43
182.69
179.61
170.96
182.92
8
DIARY
Wednesday 1st: Overnight showers were widespread and heavy in Ulster,
lighter elsewhere. The showers continued through the morning and spread
countrywide by afternoon, becoming confined to the west and southwest by
evening. Sunny in the south and east, cloudier further north. Winds were
strong northwesterly for most of the day, decreasing to light by evening.
Rainfall: trace to 10mm, heaviest at Belmullet, trace at Birr
Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 4°C to 8°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: 3 to 9 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, 3 hours at Malin Head
Thursday 2nd: Showers in the west and north overnight, mostly dry and
clear elsewhere. The showers continued during the morning in the west and
north, with sunny spells over the rest of the country. The showers became
more widespread during the afternoon with some thundery outbreaks over the
northern half of the country. Winds were moderate northwesterly, increasing
to strong with gale gusts, decreasing by evening in all but the west and north.
Rainfall: trace to 7mm, heaviest at Birr, trace at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 10°C to 13°C, min. 3°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 2 to 7 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, 2 hours at Knock Airport
Friday 3rd: Scattered showers overnight, mainly in the western half of the
country. A cool, breezy day with sunny spells generally, cloudier in the north
and west with a few scattered showers. Cloudy, wet weather moved in from the
Atlantic late in the evening. Winds were gale force and gusty on northern
coasts overnight, light to moderate northwesterly elsewhere, backing
southwesterly during the afternoon, remaining strong on the western seaboard.
Rainfall: nil to 1mm, heaviest at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 9°C to 13°C, min. 2°C to 8°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 2 to 7 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 2 hours at Malin Head
Saturday 4th: A dry start in most parts. Rain spread from the northwest
during the moring, giving some very heavy falls. By late evening the rain had
cleared most of Ulster, but continued over the remainder of the country,
resulting in some very heavy falls, particularly in the southwest. No sunshine.
Winds were moderate to strong and gusty, southwesterly, later veering
northerly.
Rainfall: 10 to 39mm, heaviest at Valentia, 10mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 13°C to 16°C, min. 6°C to 11°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to trace
Sunday 5th: Heavy rain in the east and southeast cleared the southeast coast
by dawn. A dry start elsewhere with a slight to sharp frost in places. Long
sunny spells throughout, although remaining cool. Some showers in the
afternoon in the extreme north, but it remained dry elsewhere. Becoming cold
after dark. Winds were light to moderate northeasterly, veering light southerly.
Rainfall: nil to 22mm, heaviest at Johnstown Castle
Temperature: max. 11°C to 15°C, min. 1°C to 8°C, ground temperatures
down to -4°C at Casement Aerodrome
Sunshine: 7 to 10 hours, sunniest at Knock Airport, 7 hours at Malin Head
Monday 6th: Early rain in western coastal areas moved slowly eastwards
during the morning. The day was generally dull and damp with patches of rain
and drizzle and some fog patches, just a few short sunny spells, with afternoon
temperatures around normal. Rain moved in from the Atlantic in the evening
and moved eastwards across the country. Light to moderate south or
southeasterly winds were fresh and gusty at times on northwestern coasts.
Rainfall: <1 to 10mm, heaviest at Valentia, <1mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 14°C to 18°C, min. 1°C to 11°C, ground temperatures
down to -3°C at Casement Aerodrome
Sunshine: nil to 4 hours, sunniest at Belmullet, nil at Cork Airport
Tuesday 7th: Rain over the western half of the country spread to all areas
before dawn. A clearance reached the southwest by late morning and gradually
crossed the country during the afternoon and evening, finally clearing the
northeast coast around dusk. Scattered light showers followed the clearance,
but these died out later. Sunshine in the west and southwest, cloudy further
east. Winds were light southeasterly, veering west or northwesterly during the
morning and early afternoon, later backing southwest or westerly.
Rainfall: 4 to 18mm, heaviest at Belmullet, 4mm at Valentia
Temperature: max. 12°C to 15°C, min. 6°C to 11°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Valentia
October 2008
Wednesday 8th: Mostly dry apart from some isolated light showers in Ulster
during the afternoon. Sunny countrywide. After a cold start, temperatures rose
above normal and it was mild by afternoon, cold again inland after dark. Winds
were light south or southwesterly in direction.
Rainfall: nil to <1mm generally, 3mm at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 14°C to 17°C, min. 4°C to 10°C ground temperatures
below zero at Claremorris
Sunshine: 8 to 10 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, 8 hours at Malin Head
Thursday 9th: Early rain in the west spread countrywide during the morning.
The afternoon was wet in most parts of the country, with very heavy rain in
parts of the west and southwest. Rain and drizzle continued over much of the
country during the evening, again heaviest in the southwest and west. Winds
were southwesterly, strong and gusty, easing later.
Rainfall: <1 to 25mm, heaviest at Valentia, <1mm at Johnstown Castle
Temperature: max. 13°C to 16°C, min. 4°C to 13°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to trace
Friday 10th: Rain and drizzle in the north and west spread gradually
southeastwards overnight, becoming countrywide by late morning. A narrow
band of heavy rain moved into the northwest and west around mid-afternoon
and crossed the country during the afternoon and evening. Dry weather
followed. Very mild. Winds were strong southwesterly, decreasing light and
quite variable in direction.
Rainfall: 6 to 22mm, heaviest at Claremorris, 6mm at Carlow (Oak Park)
Temperature: max. 14°C to 17°C, min. 9°C to 12°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to trace
Saturday 11th: Long sunny spells everywhere during the morning, except in
the south where fog persisted until noon. There were showers during the
afternoon that moved southeastwards as the day progressed, but amounts were
small. Rain in the extreme southeast during the evening, dry elsewhere. Light
southwesterly winds.
Rainfall: nil to <1mm generally, 3mm at Johnstown Castle
Temperature: max. 13°C to 16°C, min. 3°C to 10°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 2 to 6 hours, sunniest at Knock Airport, 2 hours at Cork Airport
Sunday 12th: Fog persisted in the south of the country for much of the
morning, with sunny spells elsewhere. The fog lifted during the afternoon and
there were some clear spells, also some drizzle along southwest coasts. Winds
were light, south to southwesterly in direction.
Rainfall: nil to 1mm, heaviest at Cork Airport
Temperature: max. 13°C to 17°C, min. 1°C to 9°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Casement Aerodrome
Sunshine: <1 to 4 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, <1hour at Malin Head
Monday 13th: Rain in the northwest towards morning spread southwards
during the day, becoming light and patchy. Drier, clearer weather with wellscattered showers and sunny spells followed on in the afternoon. Remaining
dull and damp with some fog patches in the southwest and south. Mild. Winds
were light to moderate southwesterly, easing later.
Rainfall: nil to 4mm, heaviest at Valentia, nil at Dublin Airport
Temperature: max.14°C to 17°C, min. 4°C to 12°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, nil at Valentia
Tuesday 14th: After a dry start, rain spread across the country from the
south and west during the morning, with heavy downpours in many places.
Dry weather followed from the northwest later in the afternoon. Winds
were variable, light to moderate, becoming northwesterly later.
Rainfall: nil to 38mm, heaviest at Johnstown Castle, nil at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 11°C to 15°C, min. 2°C to 10°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Knock Airport
Sunshine: nil to 7 hours, sunniest at Belmullet, nil in the south and east
Wednesday 15th: Rain in the northwest spread southeastwards to all areas
during the day, with just a few sunny spells. Showers returned to western areas
during the evening. Winds were light southwesterly, gusty in some coastal areas.
Rainfall: trace to 9mm, heaviest at Knock Airport, trace at Johnstown Castle
Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 3°C to 9°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Birr
Sunshine: 1 to 3 hours, sunniest at Belmullet, 1 hour at Cork Airport
October 2008
DIARY
9
Thursday 16th: Cold overnight with showers, some of hail, mainly in the
west. It was a cool, breezy day with scattered showers and sunny spells. The
showers gradually died out in the evening. Winds were light to moderate west
or northwesterly, backing southwesterly and easing during the afternoon.
Friday 24th: Overnight showers, mainly in the western half of the country. A
dry start to the day in most parts, but showers lingered into the afternoon in
parts of the midlands. Sunshine throughout, particularly in the east. Dry in all
areas by evening. Winds were southwesterly, strong and gusty.
Rainfall: nil to 5mm, heaviest at Malin Head
Temperature: max. 11°C to 14° min. 4°C to 8°C, ground temperatures
below zero at Birr
Sunshine: 4 to 7 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, 4 hours at Belmullet
Rainfall: nil to 4mm, heaviest at Knock Airport
Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 4°C to 9°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Cork Airport
Sunshine: 5 to 8 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, 5 hours at Belmullet
Friday 17th: Scattered showers in western and northern coastal areas
overnight. Mist or fog cleared slowly during the morning to give a mostly dry
day with scattered showers and sunny spells, mainly in eastern and southern
areas. Winds were light to moderate, southwesterly, gusty in the northwest.
Saturday 25th: Heavy rain reached the west during the early hours and moved
gradually eastwards throughout the day. The rain was persistent in most areas,
causing some localised flooding. No sunshine. Winds were southwesterly,
strong to gale force initially, reaching storm force at times with severe gusts.
Rainfall: nil to 3mm, heaviest at Belmullet
Temperature: max. 10°C to 14° min. 2°C to 10°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C in the midlands
Sunshine: trace to 5 hours, sunniest at Valentia, trace at Knock Airport
Rainfall: 8 to 22mm, heaviest at Valentia, 8mm at Carlow (Oak Park)
Temperature: max. 13°C to 15°C, min. 7°C to 12°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to trace
Saturday 18th: Mild overnight with light rain or showers in western areas.
Rain and drizzle moved eastwards during the morning and afternoon. Dry in
most parts by evening. Generally cloudy with just a few sunny spells. Winds
were southwesterly, light to moderate, occasional gusts on northwestern coasts.
Rainfall: trace to 4mm, heaviest at Claremorris, trace at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 12°C to 15°C, min. 6°C to 11°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: 1 to 4 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 1 hour at Knock Airport
Sunday 19th: Some rain and drizzle overnight in the north and northwest.
The rain continued throughout most of the day in all areas with some
heavy falls, particularly in the west and southeast. Generally overcast with
just a few sunny spells. Winds were southwesterly, strong and gusty.
Rainfall: trace to 10mm, heaviest at Claremorris, trace at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 13°C to 16°C, min 9°C to 13°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to 2 hours, sunniest at Malin Head
Monday 20th: Showers continued into the early part of the night, heaviest in
the west. By afternoon, the showers had become countrywide with the heaviest
falls still in the west. Some of the showers were of hail and there were
scattered thunderstorms; sunny spells also between showers. Winds were
strong southwesterly, gradually decreasing.
Rainfall: 1 to 11mm, heaviest at Shannon Airport, 1mm at Dublin Airport
Temperature: max. 12°C to 15°C, min. 5°C to 9°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: 2 to 4 hours, sunniest at Knock Airport, 2 hours at Birr and
Casement Aerodrome
Tuesday 21st: Heavy showers continued during the night, mainly over the
western half of the country. The shower activity lasted all day in the west, with
occasional lighter ones further east. Some of the showers were of hail and
there were scattered thunderstor ms. Sunshine between the showers
countrywide. Winds were westerly, light inland, fresh near coasts.
Rainfall: nil to 7mm, heaviest at Malin Head, nil at Dublin Airport
Temperature: max. 10°C to 12°C, min. 3°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 4 to 9 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, 4 hours at Malin Head
Wednesday 22nd: Cold overnight with scattered showers, most frequent in
western areas. The day was cool and breezy with isolated showers and sunny
spells. Wet and windy weather in the northwest during the late afternoon
spread southeastwards to most areas during the evening. Remaining mild after
dark. Winds were southwesterly, light to moderate, becoming strong and gusty.
Rainfall: nil to 3mm, heaviest at Belmullet, nil at Dublin Airport
Temperature: max. 11°C to 14°C, min. 4°C to 9°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: nil to 6 hours, sunniest at Dublin Airport, nil at Belmullet
Thursday 23rd: Mild overnight and during the day. Very wet and windy with
some severe gusts. The rain was heavy and persistent at times, particularly in
the western half of the country, leading to flooding in places. Clearer, less
windy weather with scattered showers followed from the west in the late
afternoon and evening. Winds were southwesterly, strong and very gusty, easing
slightly later, remaining strong in the northwest.
Rainfall: 5 to 42mm, heaviest at Valentia, 5mm at Ballyhaise
Temperature: max. 14°C to 16°C, min. 5°C to 9°C, no ground frost
Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Belmullet
Sunday 26th: Rain, heavy at times overnight in the southern half of the
country, cleared by morning. Scattered showers elsewhere. The day was cool
and windy with scattered showers and sunny spells. Cold after dark with the
showers becoming confined to the western half of the country; showers
turned wintry on northwestern coasts. Winds were westerly, fresh to strong and
very gusty, gale force on northwestern coasts, easing gradually by evening.
Rainfall: 1 to 9mm, heaviest at Malin Head, 1mm at Shannon Airport
Temperature: max. 9°C to 14°C, min. 3°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -1°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 4 to 8 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 4 hours at Malin Head
Monday 27th: Heavy showers in the west overnight, some with hail. The
showers continued in the west and north during the day, but were isolated in
the east. Sunny spells in all areas. Showers became confined to Atlantic coasts
by late evening. Winds were moderate northwesterly, occasionally strong and
gusty in the north.
Rainfall: nil to 7mm, heaviest at Knock Airport, nil at Dublin Airport
Temperature: max. 8°C to 10°C, min. 1°C to 6°C, ground temperatures
down to -2°C at Claremorris
Sunshine: 3 to 8 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 3 hours at Knock Airport
Tuesday 28th: Showers in the west overnight, some of sleet or hail. Early
frost cleared quickly. Sunshine and showers during the day, the heaviest of the
showers in the west. Generally dry in most parts by evening. Cold with a sharp
to severe ground frost during the evening. Winds were north to northwesterly,
light, increasing to gale force with stronger gusts, falling light again by evening.
Rainfall: nil to 6mm, heaviest at Claremorris, nil at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 5°C to 10°C, min. -3°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
below zero at all inland stations, down to -7°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: 2 to 7 hours, sunniest at Shannon Airport, 2 hours at Knock Airport
Wednesday 29th: A dry, cold night with a sharp to severe frost in many
inland areas. Rain reached the west coast by dawn and spread quickly across the
country, giving some very heavy falls, particularly in northern parts. Showers
followed, affecting most parts during the evening. Very little sunshine. Winds
were moderate to strong and gusty, variable in direction.
Rainfall: 3 to 18mm, heaviest at Malin Head, 3mm at Roches Point
Temperature: max. 6°C to 12°C, min. -2°C to 5°C, ground temperatures
below zero at all inland stations, down to -7°C at Carlow (Oak Park)
Sunshine: nil to 1 hour, sunniest at Cork Airport
Thursday 30th: Scattered showers overnight. Sunny spells and showers
during the morning. Showers in the east during the afternoon, some heavy
and of hail. Winds were easterly, light to moderate with occasional gusts.
Rainfall: nil to 9mm, heaviest at Casement Aerodrome
Temperature: max. 6 °C to 10°C, min. 1°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
down to -3°C at Birr
Sunshine: trace to 9 hours, sunniest at Knock Airport, trace at Cork Airport
Friday 31st: Mostly dry and clear overnight with a widespread frost. Sunny
spells throughout, with isolated showers in the north and west. Frost after dark.
Winds were light to moderate, easterly in direction.
Rainfall: nil to trace generally, 1mm at Belmullet
Temperature: max. 8°C to 11°C, min. -2°C to 7°C, ground temperatures
below zero at most inland stations, down to -8°C at Birr
Sunshine: 5 to 9 hours, sunniest at Cork Airport, 5 hours at Malin Head
10
Wetter than
normal
everywhere,
very wet in west
October rainfall totals were
above normal everywhere and it
was a particularly wet month in
the west. Despite record high
sunshine totals for the month in
places, up to twice the normal
rainfall totals were measured at
some Connacht stations.
Monthly totals ranged from
92mm at Ardee (Boharnamoe),
Co. Louth, to 533mm at Maam
Valley, Co. Galway, with
percentage of normal values
between 108% at Fermoy
(Moorepark), Co. Cork, and
200% at Galway (University
College). It was the wettest
October for eight years at many
stations and the wettest since
1967 at Galway.
Rainfall was fairly evenly spread
throughout the month, with very
few dry days. Most stations
recorded their heaviest daily falls on
the 4th, 9th or 14th. Exceptionally
heavy rainfall was recorded in the
west on the 9th, when Maam Valley
measured the highest daily fall of
the month, 89.5mm. This was the
highest such fall for October since
records began in the area in 1968.
Between 13 and 18 wetdays were
recorded over most of the east and
south of the country (days with 1mm
or more of rainfall), but more than 20
wetdays were measured in western
and northern areas.
RAINFALL
County/
Station
October 2008
Total
% of
Amount 1961-90
(mm) average
CO. CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
96.6
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
117.0
CAVAN LORETO COLLEGE
134.7
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
156.4
CARRON
295.6
CO. CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
109.4
FERMOY (MOOREPARK)
107.9
CORK AIRPORT
139.2
SHERKIN ISLAND
127.8
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
140.1
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
144.8
GLENTIES HATCHERY
275.5
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 177.3
CO. DUBLIN
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
113.5
DUBLIN AIRPORT
97.4
CASEMENT AERODROME
117.7
DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE)
99.8
CO. GALWAY
GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.)
257.6
MAAM VALLEY
532.7
CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
308.9
BALLYGAR
158.9
CO. KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
244.8
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
180.8
CO. LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
164.1
CO. LOUTH
ARDEE (BOHARNAMOE)
91.8
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
177.5
STRAIDE
196.0
KNOCK AIRPORT
192.5
CO. MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
106.8
CO. OFFALY
BIRR
121.0
DERRYGREENAGH
119.2
CO. SLIGO
ARDTARMON
155.5
CO. TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
147.0
CO. WATERFORD
WATERFORD (TYCOR)
121.3
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
123.1
CO. WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
123.9
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
183.2
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK
150.0
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
167.5
Most in
a day / date
Number of
Raindays Wetdays
(>0.2mm) (>1mm)
119
22.0
4
24
13
119
16.1
17.7
9
9
26
26
21
21
168
177
23.1
49.6
4
9
25
29
25
25
123
108
110
109
20.0
21.3
27.2
15.2
23.0
14
4
14
4
14
22
23
27
25
23
13
16
18
21
17
122
153
150
16.7
27.1
19.5
29
22
4
30
30
28
27
28
22
162
22.7
18.6
23.2
38.0
4
4
4
7
20
21
21
17
16
14
16
10
63.3
89.5
70.5
27.3
9
9
9
9
27
30
31
29
23
25
25
21
32.9
47.9
4
4
26
25
24
22
26.8
4
26
22
113
17.4
4
18
14
132
145
23.0
37.8
28.0
9
9
9
29
29
29
25
25
25
127
16.7
4
21
16
144
139
19.9
17.9
4
4
24
21
16
15
18.3
29
27
22
27.9
4
24
17
19.8
20.5
14
4
23
25
15
17
18.7
4
27
20
37.3
30.6
33.0
4
14
4
26
19
25
14
16
16
171
154
200
174
147
156
116
170
136
11
RAINFALL
October 2008
Total rainfall (mm)
< 100
100 - 150
150 - 200
200 - 300
300 - 400
> 400
Percentage of normal rainfall
100 - 125%
125 - 150%
150 - 175%
175 - 200%
Daily 0-24h rainfall values(mm)
42
39
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
October 2008
Cooler than normal
everywhere
Mean air temperatures for the month were
below normal everywhere, the first month with
below normal mean temperatures at all stations
since October 2004. They varied between 8.1°C
at Derrygreenagh, Co. Offaly, and 11.4°C at
Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Although just slightly
cooler than normal in parts of the west, mean
temperatures were over a degree below normal
at many eastern and midland stations, where it
was the coldest October since 1993.
There was little variation in temperature throughout
most of October, but colder spells were recorded at
the beginning and particularly at the end of the
month. The highest temperatures were observed
around the middle of the month, with the highest
value of 18.3°C recorded at Dungarvan (Carriglea),
Co. Waterford on the 13th. Air and ground frost
became widespread at the end of the month,
paricularly on the 29th and 31st. The month’s lowest
air temperature, -3.0°C, was recorded at Casement
Aerodrome on the 29th, its lowest such value for
October since 1993, while Birr measured the lowest
grass minimum value of -7.5°C on the 31st. A total
-1.5° to -2°C
-1° to -1.5°C
-0.5° to -1°C
0° to -0.5°C
Mean Temperature
(difference from 1961-90 normals)
of between 4 and 12 ground frosts were recorded at
most stations, but none was recorded at Malin Head.
Daily 0-24h maximum temperatures (°C)
20
15
10
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 1 2 13 14 1 5 1 6 17 1 8 1 9 20 21 2 2 23 24 2 5 2 6 27 28 2 9 30 31
Daily 0-24h minimum temperatures (°C)
15
10
5
0
-55
1
2
z
3
4
5
6
7
8
Valentia Observatory
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
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
October 2008
°C
Mean
max.
Mean/ deviation
Mean from 1961-90
min.
average
-0.9
Highest
max./date
Lowest
min./date
Lowest
grass min./date
Days with
air frost ground frost
16.8 13
-2.2 29
-7.3 29
1
9
16.0 10
16.1 10
-0.7 29
-1.0 29
-3.7 29
-4.8 31
1
2
6
7
12.8
5.8
9.3
11.9
12.3
5.1
4.7
8.5
8.5
13.6
12.6
7.5
6.1
10.6
9.4
-0.5
-0.4
17.8 6
16.3 10
-0.1 31
-0.2 29
-4.6 31
-3.5 29
1
1
5
5
13.0
13.5
12.5
13.8
13.0
8.1
6.0
6.5
8.9
5.2
10.6
9.8
9.5
11.4
9.1
-0.8
-0.6
-0.9
-0.3
16.1
17.6
15.9
16.7
17.3
1.4
-2.2
0.5
1.6
-2.5
-2.4
-5.5
-3.2
-1.7
-4.6
29
29
29
29
29
0
1
0
0
1
1
12
5
1
7
12.3
12.5
12.5
7.7
5.4
6.6
10.0
9.0
9.6
-0.8
-1.0
-0.8
15.6 9 10 2.1 30
16.4 10
-1.0 31
17.0 6
0.6 31
0.6 28
-2.8 31
0
1
0
0
5
13.1
12.5
12.3
12.8
5.8
5.8
5.8
7.2
9.5
9.2
9.1
10.0
-0.9
17.6 13
-1.2 29
17.0 13
-1.3 29
16.8 13
-3.0 29
17.4 9 10 1.6 29
-5.0 29
-3.5 29
-6.3 29
1
1
1
0
8
4
6
13.6
13.8
12.8
13.1
6.7
7.1
7.6
5.0
10.2
10.5
10.2
9.1
-0.8
17.0 11
17.4 8
15.5 8
16.6 8
-0.5
1.4
2.1
-1.0
29
29
29
31
-3.0 29
-2.9 29
7
1
-5.1 31
1
0
0
2
13.6
13.7
8.5
7.0
11.1
10.4
-0.5
-0.6
15.9 8
17.8 12
3.8 29
-1.0 31
-1.8 29
-3.6 31
0
1
5
2
12.7
6.8
9.8
16.4 10
-0.4 31
-5.8 31
1
4
13.0
4.3
8.7
-1.3
16.7 11
-2.0 29
-5.5 29
2
11
13.3
13.4
11.3
8.3
5.6
5.2
10.8
9.5
8.3
-0.1
-0.7
16.0
17.0
15.0
6
6
6
3.1 29
-0.8 31
-0.2 29
0.7 29
-7.2 31
-1.3 29
0
1
1
0
17
3
12.5
5.0
8.8
-1.2
16.7 13
-1.3 29
-5.0 29
1
4
12.9
12.6
5.7
3.6
9.3
8.1
-1.0
-1.6
17.0 10
17.0 13
-1.8 31
-2.6 29
-7.5 31
-3.9 29
2
5
10
9
13.2
7.0
10.1
17.2
6
2.0 29
-2.1 31
0
2
12.2
5.1
8.7
15.9
8
-2.6 29
-3.5 29
2
3
13.7
14.0
6.7
6.3
10.2
10.2
-0.6
-0.7
17.6 13
18.3 13
-0.3 29
-1.9 29
-4.0 29
1
1
2
12.3
4.9
8.6
-1.1
16.3 13
-1.1 29
-5.1 29
1
8
13.2
13.0
12.8
7.1
5.7
5.2
10.2
9.4
9.0
-0.6
-1.2
16.7 13
17.2 13
16.5 13
0.0 29
-1.8 29
-1.1 29
-2.7 29
-6.0 29
-7.0 29
0
1
2
2
11
18
-1.2
-1.5
13
13
13
13
13
29
29
29
29
29
9
14
SUNSHINE
County/
Station
Daily mean
(hours/day)
% of
% of
average possible
Most in
a day/date
CO. CAVAN
CAVAN (LORETO COLLEGE)
2.82
26
8.9
5
CO. CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
3.84
145
36
10.1
5
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
3.63
140
34
10.0
5
CORK AIRPORT
3.70
132
35
10.0
5
SHERKIN ISLAND
4.08
128
38
10.1
5
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
3.81
10.8
4
CO. CORK
CO. DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
2.73
112
26
7.5
8
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL)
3.09
129
29
8.4
5
DUBLIN AIRPORT
3.90
125
37
9.8
5 8
CASEMENT AERODROME
3.57
116
34
9.6
5
4.23
155
40
10.0
5
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
3.40
135
32
9.5
5
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
3.83
36
9.4
5 8
CO. DUBLIN
CO. GALWAY
GALWAY (UNIV.COLL.)
October 2008
Sunnier than
normal everywhere
Sunshine totals for October were above
normal everywhere and were well above
normal in the west. Amounts ranged
from 85 hours, or 112% of normal, at
Malin Head to 131 hours, or 155% of
normal, at Galway (University College),
where it was the sunniest October since
records began there in 1966. Shannon
Airport also had its sunniest October in
over 60 years of record.
Sunshine was fairly evenly distributed over
the month, but the 5th and 8th were
particularly sunny. The highest daily value,
10.8 hours, was measured at Ballincurrig, Co.
Cork, on the 4th, however. Global solar
radiation totals were above normal almost
everywhere, varying between 99% of normal
at Birr and 119% at Belmullet.
CO. KERRY
CO. MAYO
BELMULLET
3.51
8.6
5
STRAIDE
3.84
133
33
9.4
8
KNOCK AIRPORT
3.38
10.3
5
100 - 125%
125 - 150%
>150%
CO. OFFALY
BIRR
3.53
133
33
9.7
5
3.92
138
37
9.4
8
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
3.55
121
33
9.1
5
JOHN F. KENNEDY PARK
3.94
135
37
9.7
5
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
3.81
9.7
5
CO. WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO. WEXFORD
Sunshine values are not available for automatic synoptic stations
Total Sunshine
(percentage of 1961-90 normals)
Daily sunshine values(hours)
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Valentia Observatory
9 1 0 11 12 1 3 14 15 1 6 17 1 8 1 9 20 2 1 2 2 23 2 4 25 26 2 7 28 29 3 0 31
Dublin Airport
Birr
15
WORLD WEATHER
October 2008
%
OCTOBER RAINFALL
(percentage of
1961-1990 normal)
200
150
125
100
75
50
0
°C
+5
+3
+1
OCTOBER MEAN
TEMPERATURE
(difference from
1961-1990 normal)
-1
-3
-5
Intense rainfall produced by the Atlantic's sixteenth
tropical depression of the season resulted in
widespread floods and landslides across parts of
Central America around mid-October. Originating
from a low pressure system near Costa Rica, the
depression made landfall in Honduras on the 16th.
Here, heavy rain destroyed a large area of farmland
and 62 bridges were demolished, forcing a national
state of emergency. In parts of Costa Rica,
precipitation levels were as high as 2100 mm, the
heaviest falls in 40 years. Storm-related fatalities
were reported across Central America- 29 in
Honduras, seven in Costa Rica, four in both
Nicaragua and Guatemala and one in El Salvador.
Global weather
highlights of
the month
Cold weather over the northern Alps at the
beginning of the month brought early winter
conditions above about 1000m in parts of
Switzerland and Austria. On some northern
slopes in Switzerland, between 5 and 15cm of
snow fell between the 2nd and 3rd, closing
several high roads and passes to traffic.
Unusually heavy rain fell across Algeria
during the first two weeks of the month,
resulting in flash floods that claimed the
lives of 65 people and destroyed nearly
600 homes in the town of Ghardaia. On
the 20th, storms in Morocco brought
heavy rain and flash floods that claimed
the lives of 11 people.
Data supplied by NOAA
Climate Prediction Centre,
US Department of Commerce
In Tibet, a heavy snowstorm during the
last week blocked roads, triggered
avalanches and caused power outages.
It was reported that the average snow
coverage was 150cm. Nine people were
killed in what was described as one of
the worst snowstorms in living memory.
October was extremely hot and dry over
South Australia, with most rainfall stations
recording rainfall totals in the lowest 10%
of records for the month. Maximum
temperatures were between two and three
degrees above average, while nights were
the warmest for October since 1950.
16
FEATURE
FISH STOCK CHANGES
WITH WARMING OCEANS
A joint study being undertaken by the Marine
Institute, N.U.I. Galway and N.U.I. Maynooth
suggests that familiar fish species such as cod, salmon
and eel, as well as other native coldwater species,
might eventually become a rarity in Irish waters. Longterm changes in the temperature and salt content of
our seas, brought about by climate change, may force
species such as these into deeper, colder waters, to be
replaced by warmwater species such as sea bass.
Given its location, Ireland is an ideal laboratory from which
to study the effects of climate change on the oceans, which
in turn are the largest drivers of weather patterns on the
planet. Almost 70% of the earth is covered by the sea,
which acts not only as a transporter of solar heat from the
equator to the poles, but also as the world’s largest natural
processor of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Understanding
the interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere is
one of the greatest challenges facing climate scientists- not
least of which is the difficulty in telling which changes
occur naturally and which might be due to global warming.
Oceanographers have long known that seawater surface
temperature in the Atlantic Ocean rises and falls naturally
over a cycle of between 50 and 58 years, according to a
phenomenon called the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation
(AMO). At present the Atlantic is in a warm phase, which is
expected to further increase the temperature of the ocean’s
surface around Ireland over the next 15 to 30 years. As well
as this naturally occurring increase, however, records of sea
surface temperature at Malin Head (see chart below) suggest
that the present warm cycle is half a degree warmer than
the last one. Furthermore, the Malin Head data shows an
increasing rate of warming since the 1990s, with the
warmest years on record occurring since 1995. This is
consistent with datasets from other sources, showing a
gradually upward trend in Irish sea surface temperatures.
October 2008
The current Marine Institute study, part of the National
Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, brings
together historical records of marine fisheries data with
research into the phenomenon of ocean acidification and
the effects of climate change on migratory fish. Fifty years
of continuous data is available from the Burrishoole River
Catchment system at Newport, County Mayo, giving catch
records of fish such as salmon, sea trout and eels. Other
data being included in the study come from the network of
floating weather buoys around the coast, readings from
underwater “gliders” and plankton recorders, together with
satellite observations. This data is analysed at the Marine
Institute’s headquarters at Oranmore by a new
supercomputer system, to produce forecasts of future
ocean conditions and the implications for fish stocks.
Warmer and saltier ocean conditions in the future,
becoming increasingly like the Mediterranean rather than
the Atlantic, will have a gradual but profound change on
the marine animals and plants that live there. Sample
records from the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey
carried out over the years show that microscopic plant
species, or phytoplankton, that used to only bloom during
spring and summer, now have an extended growth season.
Further up the food chain, microscopic carnivores called
zooplankton have extended their range northwards,
associated with warm water currents in some years in the
North Atlantic. This change in turn is reflected in the
abundance of large carnivorous fish, which rely on the
zooplankton as food in their own early stages of life.
Records from the Marine Institute’s annual ground fish
stock survey of commercial species show a gradual decline
in coldwater species such as cod, with an increasing
abundance of warmer water species such as lesser-spotted
dogfish, sea bass and boarfish. Seawater temperature and
the availability of zooplankton may also be driving the large
changes in population size of salmon, sea trout and eel
observed by analysing the Burrishoole records.
(This article, reproduced by kind permission of the Marine Institute,
can be seen in full on the website www.marine.ie)
Mean Annual Sea Temperature at Malin Head (°C), 1961-2007
12.5
12.5
12.0
12.0
11.5
11.5
11.0
11.0
10.5
10.5
10.0
10.0
9.5
9.5
_____ 10-year running mean
9.0
9.0
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005