January 2016 was a wet and mild month across the country, with some parts experiencing the wettest January in 68 years.

All stations reported above their long-term average (LTA) rainfall, according to Met Eireann.

Dublin Airport recorded the wettest January since 1948 while Cork Airport reported its wettest January since 1988.

The wettest days of the month were January 1, 5, 9 and 26 with the most rainfall reported in 24-hours reported at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry on January 26 with 37.0mm.

Temperatures

Meanwhile, temperature wise, mean air temperatures were all on or above average at weather stations.

Mean temperatures were on average at Markree, Co. Sligo with a mean temperature of 5.3 degrees Celsius, while deviations from LTA were up to 1.1 degrees at Dublin (Phoenix Park) with a mean temperature of 6.1 degrees.

The data shows that the month’s highest maxima were recorded on January 24 and 31 with the month’s highest temperature reported at Dublin Airport (on January 24), its highest January temperature since 1998 with 15.2 degrees.

Approximately half of stations around the country reported their highest January temperatures in seven to 18 years, with Malin Head, Co. Donegal reporting its highest January temperature since 1960 with 14.5 degrees.

The number of days with air frost ranged from zero at some Atlantic coastal stations to 12 at Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

 

Storm

For the month of January there was one winter storm, called Gertrude.

Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h) at Fermoy (Moore Park), Co. Cork to 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h) at Malin Head, Co. Donegal.

Cork Airport reported its windiest January since 1997 with a mean wind speed of 12.2 knots (22.6 km/h).

Storm Gertrude (January 28 and 29) brought storm force winds to the north with the month’s highest 10-minute mean and highest gust reported on January 29  Malin Head, Co. Donegal with 53 knots (98 km/h) and 70 knots (130 km/h), respectively.

Elsewhere, Met Eireann said that severe gales were recorded on January 26, 29 and 30.