East records coldest October in 15 years

It was the coldest October in 15 years in the East of the country, according to figures released by Met Éireann today.

Average air temperatures were one degree below normal everywhere after a severe cold spell at the end of the month. October was the first month with below normal average temperatures at all stations since October 2004.

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 degrees C on the 28th was its lowest for October since 1948.

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 per cent of the amount normally recorded in a full year.

Many weather stations had their wettest October since 2000, Met Éireann said.

Despite the high rainfall totals, it was a sunny month everywhere, with around 30 per cent more sunshine than normal generally. Shannon Airport had its sunniest October since records began there in 1945.