Parts of Kerry record wettest September since 2006

Valentia Obsesrvatory recorded monthly rainfall of 204.4mm

Parts of Kerry recorded their wettest September since 2006, according to Met Éireann’s weather summary for last month.

Valentia Observatory in Co Kerry recorded a monthly rainfall of 204.4mm in September compared to just 70.5mm at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin.

Monthly rainfall totals were above average at most weather stations with the month’s wettest day also recorded at Valentia Observatory with 39.8mm on the September 2nd. The number of rain days ranged from 20 days at Dublin Airport to 27 days at Belmullet, Co Mayo.

“The cool and unsettled theme continued for September 2017 from the summer months,” Met Éireann said.

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It said the first half of the month was “very changeable” as Atlantic frontal systems brought rain on many of the days, alternating with occasional blustery and showery intervals.

“The latter part of the month was changeable once again with fronts bringing some heavy spells of rain - especially on the 27th, though there were some dry days with warm sunshine,” it added.

Temperatures were below average with the lowest temperature (one degree) recorded on September 17th at Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon. The highest temperature (23.4 degrees) was recorded at Oak Park, Co Carlow on the 3rd.

The number of days with ground frost ranged from zero days at two-thirds of stations to five days at Markree, Co Sligo. There was no air frost reported in September.

Monthly sunshine totals were as much as 135.2 hours at Cork Airport (its sunniest September since 2012). The highest number of daily sunshine hours recorded was 12.3 hours at Valentia Observatory on the 1st.

The number of dull days ranged from five days at both Dublin Airport and Malin Head, Co Donegal to 10 days at Valentia Observatory.

Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 10.7km/h at Mullingar, Co Westmeath to 29.1km/h at Mace Head, Co Galway. Both the month’s highest gust (103.7km/h) and the highest ten-minute mean wind speed (81.5km/h) were reported at Mace Head, Co Galway on the 10th.

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times