This March was the coldest on record at most weather stations, according to the monthly report from Met Éireann.
The report, which was issued today, states that monthly mean temperatures were below average around Ireland. Dublin Airport reported an average temperature of 3.1 degrees, which was its coldest March since the site opened in 1942.
Some stations in the south and southwest recorded their coldest March since the 1950s and 1960s. Weather stations in the east, southeast and in parts of the south recorded an average or above average amount of rainfall for the time of the year.
The highest amount of rainfall recorded throughout the months was 134.9 mm, reported at Cork Airport, which also recorded the highest amount of daily rainfall at 41.2 mm.
The highest temperature recorded was 14.3 degrees at Athenry, which was noted on March 8th. The lowest temperature was minus 7.6 degrees, recorded at Markree station on March 12th.
This is in contrast with the report for March 2012, which stated that it was dry, warm and sunny everywhere. The highest temperature recorded was 22.2 degrees in Bellmullet, while other weather stations reported the highest sunshine rate in over 50 years.
The highest rainfall recorded in March 2012 was 22mm in Valentia Observatory, six imes less than this year’s rainfall level.