Figures show 2011 'warmer than average'

Despite the unseasonably cold start to the year, 2011 was one of the warmest on record, according to new data from national forecaster Met Éireann.

The latest figures also show that annual rainfall and sunshine totals were mostly above average during the year.

Overall, annual mean temperatures were up by nearly 1 degree centigrade in places, the forecaster said.

Most months in 2011 were warmer than average with the exception of January and the summer season months while November was the warmest month on record in many parts of the country.

Met Éireann said that weather stations in the Phoenix Park, Mullingar and Roche’s Point all reported their highest annual mean temperature in over five to seven years.

The highest temperature last year was 26 degrees centigrade on June 3rd in Drumconnick, Co Cavan and Chanterlands, Co Kildare

Phoenix Park reported the latest and highest maximum temperature of the year at a synoptic station with 25.7 degrees centigrade on September 28th, its warmest temperature during September since 1906.

Elsewhere, Belmullet and Cork airport reported their lowest annual maximum temperatures last year since the 1960’s.

The year's lowest temperature of -8.3 degrees centigrade was recorded in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny on January 29th.

Annual rainfall totals for 2011 were also mostly above average except for some areas in the south and southeast. The distribution of rainfall over the year was uneven, with the majority of weather stations recording February and October as their wettest months and March as their driest.

The highest annual percentage was recorded at Claremorris which received 123 per cent of its annual rainfall total and its wettest year on record since 1986. In contrast, Johnstown Castle received only 83 per cent of its annual total rainfall and had its driest year since 1971.

Sunshine totals were near or above normal in 2011; however it was still the dullest year in some time.

The sunniest months relative to normal were January and March, with September recording the least amount of sunshine.

Cork airport had its dullest year since 1994 with 1352 hours, while the highest amount of sunshine was recorded at Dublin airport with 1548 hours and nearly 110 per cent of its yearly average.

The majority of weather stations recorded their sunniest day of the year during June, with Casement Aerodrome recording the highest daily sunshine for the year, with 15.9 hours on June 3rd.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, provisional global temperatures in 2011 are the 10th highest on record.