Driest October for more than 30 years

Last month was the driest October for more than 30 years in the east of the country, while the average air temperature recorded at Belmullet in Co Mayo was the highest since records began there in 1956.

According to Met Éireann the dominant feature of the month was high pressure, providing mainly dry conditions and light winds.

As usual, the sunny southeast lived up to its name with Rosslare, Co Wexford, enjoying above-average sunshine. The total value of 10.5 hours of sunshine on October 4th was the highest such value for October since the station opened in 1956.

But, unusually, the highest level of sunshine for the month was recorded at Clones, Co Monaghan, where 131 per cent of annual averages was noted.

The dullest part of Ireland during October was south Munster, which had the only places to record less-than-average sunshine. Valentia Observatory in Co Kerry recorded 98 per cent of average sunshine levels, while Cork airport only managed 84 per cent.

Average air temperatures for the month were between one and two degrees higher than normal in most places, while at Belmullet air temperature hit 13.1 degrees, the highest recorded in October.

Less than half the normal rainfall was recorded in the eastern half of the country, which had the driest October for between 35 and 38 years.

Most weather stations in the Republic recorded fewer than nine wet days - days with at least one millimetre of rain - but parts of the Atlantic coast recorded up to 14 wet days.

The highest daily rainfall was recorded at Malin Head on October 27th when 28.4mm were noted.