Record low temperatures for February were experienced last month, according to Met Éireann’s latest monthly weather summary.
The month’s lowest air temperature was recorded on February 28th at Gurteen, Co Tipperary with minus 5.7 degrees while the lowest grass temperature was minus 11.5 degrees at Markree, Co Sligo on February 27th.
Gurteen also recorded a maximum air temperature of minus 1.1 degrees on February 28th, which was 9.8 degrees below its long-term average.
Temperatures across the country were below average for the month.
“Overall, high pressure weather dominated the month, this generally means in winter more settled weather,” the monthly summary states.
“Rainfall totals were below normal in many areas, while sunshine totals were above normal. However during the second week, around the 10th/11th February, wind and rain mainly affected western counties.
“After sunny, dry, calm weather in the final week of the month, the last day (28th) brought snow and record low temperatures.”
The month’s highest temperature was reported at Fermoy, Co Cork on February 19th with 14.3 degrees.
All stations reported air and ground frost during the month. The number of days with ground frost ranged from six days at Sherkin Island, Co Cork to 27 days at both the Phoenix Park in Dublin and Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.
Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 25.5mm at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 155.6mm at Newport, Co Mayo. The month’s wettest day was also recorded at Newport with 43.1mm on February 10th.
The number of rain days ranged from 14 days at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 23 days at Sherkin Island, Co Cork.
The month’s highest monthly sunshine total was 114 hours at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford while the lowest was at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry with 81.7 hours.
The month’s highest gust was reported at both Mace Head, Co Galway and Roche’s Point, Co Cork on the 15th and 12th respectively, with 107.4km/h.
The highest 10-minute wind speed was 83.3km/h at Mace Head, Co Galway on February 11th.
