February was drier and warmer than average across Ireland, with some areas recording the driest February in over half a century, Met Éireann has said.
In its provisional statement, the forecaster said high pressure through most of last month brought very mild and dry conditions countrywide.
Using the 1981-2010 Long-Term Average (LTA) for rainfall, the national meteorological service reported below average rainfall everywhere, with driest conditions in the south and east.
Last month was the driest February since 1965 at Dunsany, Co Meath and Phoenix Park, Co Dublin.
The lowest monthly rainfall total was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford, which saw just 7.4mm of rain, representing its driest February since 1986.
Newport, Co Mayo received the month’s highest rainfall total of 91.6mm, its driest February in a decade.
The number of rain days ranged from eight days at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford to 20 days at a few stations, Met Éireann reported.
Nine stations recorded dry spells lasting between 16 and 30 days, with Dublin, Meath and Wexford being among the driest.
All mean air temperatures across the country were above their LTA for the month, ranging from 8C at Sherkin Island, Co Cork to 7.8 C at both Finner, County Donegal and Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 5.7 knots (10.6 km/h) at Moore Park, Co Cork to 16.4 knots (30.4 km/h) at Malin Head. Gales were reported on Wednesday 8th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th.
The number of days with gale force winds ranged from zero days at most stations to 3 days at Malin Head. There were no strong gales or higher winds reported this month. Both the month’s highest gust and 10-minute mean wind speed was reported at Malin Head. The highest gust was on Wednesday 8th and Friday 17th, with 52 knots (96 km/h) while the month’s highest 10- minute mean wind speed was 40 knots (74 km/h) on Friday 17th.
Main pic: Snowdrops beautifully captured last month at the historic Glebe House and Gallery.
