The weather in March was unusually wet and dull with above average rainfall and above average temperature, in almost all parts of the country, according to Met Éireann weather summary for March.
Today's report says there was rain and showers on most days.
Only one of Met Éireann’s synoptic weather stations, Finner in Co Donegal, recorded below average rainfall for March with monthly precipitation there running 10% below its long-term average.
All other stations were above average.
March 2023 - Unusually wet and dull. Out of 25 synoptic stations, 6 stations had over 200% of their average March rainfall, 11 had over 150%. After a cool start, most stations had above average temperatures. More in the Climate Statement for March - https://t.co/Jh92F6BYtF pic.twitter.com/TD3qaudsmF
— Irish Observational Climatology (@METclimate) April 4, 2023
The weather station at Dublin Airport recorded 119.3 mm of rain, 227% of its long-term-average, making last month the wettest March at Dublin Airport for 76 years.
Along with Dublin Airport, Phoenix Park in Dublin also had its wettest March since 1947 with 121.3 mm.
At the Valentia Observatory in Co Kerry the monthly rainfall total was 239.2 mm. This was 193% of its long-term-average, making last month the wettest March in Valentia for 60 years.
The highest daily rainfall total was 34.7 mm at Cork Airport, Co Cork on Thursday 9 March.
The number of rain days ranged from 22 at Claremorris, Co Mayo to 28 at Oak Park, Co Carlow.
Four stations had their wettest March on record.
These were:
- Athenry, Co Galway with 185.9 mm (record length 32 years)
- Mace Head, Co Galway with 151.2 mm (length 18 years)
- Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon with 169.8 mm (length 18 years)
- Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin with 109.3 mm (length 59 years).
Solar UV Index will be moderate in any sunshine today and low in any cloud 👇https://t.co/HPryW0cMDo pic.twitter.com/uacuxiGbe5
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) April 4, 2023
Temperature
Today's report also confirms that after a cool start to the month most places experienced above average monthly temperatures during March.
Deviations from mean air temperature for the month ranged from -0.3 °C at Markree, Co Sligo to 1.1 °C at Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Mean temperatures for the month ranged from 6.0 °C at Knock Airport, Co Mayo to 8.4 °C at Sherkin Island, Co Cork.
Met Éireann's weather station at Phoenix Park recorded the month's highest temperature of 17.1 °C on 29 March.
The month's lowest air temperature was recorded two days earlier on 27 March at Dublin Airport with -4.3 °C.
In line with the wet weather experienced, all available monthly sunshine totals were below their long-term average, according to Met Éireann.
Percentage of monthly sunshine values ranged from 75% at Shannon Airport, Co Clare to 95% at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin.
