While the last week in March was a wet one, the majority of weather stations reported below average long-term average (LTA) rainfall for the month, according to Met Eireann.

Several stations in the west of the country reported around average rainfall for the month.

The figures show that at nearly half of stations, which were mostly located in southern parts of the country, Met Eireann attributed low monthly values to ‘dry spells’ between March 9 and 23.

Gurteen station, in Co. Tipperary, reported a period of ‘absolute drought’ at the same time resulting in a monthly total of 56.1mm (75% of its LTA).

Met Eireann defines an ‘absolute drought’ as being a period of 15 or more consecutive days to none of which is credited 0.2mm or more.

Despite dry conditions, it found that no long-term records were broken, with less rainfall reported in 2012.

Percentage of LTA values ranged from 55% Fermoy (Moore Park), Co. Cork with 47.3mm to 101% at Newport, Co. Mayo with 142.2mm.

The month’s wettest days were March 1, 2, 25 and 26 with the highest daily rainfall reported at Cork Airport on March 26 with 25.5mm.

Air temperatures mostly be.low LTA – Met Eireann

Met Eireann reported that most mean air temperatures for March were below their LTA apart from some stations located in the west, northwest and north which were slightly on or above their LTA.

The figures show that differences from average ranged from minus 0.9 degrees at Sherkin Island, Co. Cork (mean temperature of 7.6 degrees) to 0.3°C at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (mean temperature of 7.1 degrees).

Despite below average mean temperatures, cooler conditions were recorded in March 2013.

The lowest temperatures were reported mainly on March 4, 6 and 18, with the month’s lowest air and grass minima both reported on March 18.

The lowest air minimum was minus 5.1 degrees at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, its lowest in six years, while the station also reported the highest number of days with air frost with 12.

The month’s lowest grass minimum was minus 9.5 degrees reported at Carlow (Oak Park), with the station also reporting the highest number of days with ground frost at 26.

The highest temperatures were mainly between March 11 and 18 with the month’s highest maximum reported at Newport on the 16 with 16.1 degrees.

Sunniest March in six years at Knock Airport – Met Eireann

Met Eireann reported that monthly sunshine totals were lowest at Cork Airport with 96.4 hours (daily mean 3.1 hours, 93% of LTA) with the station also reporting the month’s highest number of dull days with 11.

The highest monthly sunshine was reported at Belmullet, Co. Mayo with 132.1 hours (daily mean 4.3 hours).

Knock Airport, Co. Mayo reported a monthly sunshine total of 110.0 hours (daily mean 3.6 hours, 121% of LTA), which Met Eireann said was its sunniest March in six years.

Meanwhile, monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 5.8 knots (10.7 km/h) at Fermoy (Moore Park), Co Cork to 14.8 knots (27.4 km/h) at Mace Head, Co. Galway.

Two storms were named, Storm Jake (on the March 2) and Storm Katie (active between March 25 and 28in parts of the UK).

The highest 10-minute mean wind speed and highest gust were both recorded at Mace Head during Storm Jake with 72 knots.