Over half of the country had the wettest winter on record and all weather stations recorded above their long-term average (LTA) rainfall, according to Met Eireann.

Stations in the south, east and south midlands reported double or more LTA rainfall.

The wettest conditions were recorded by stations in December, with over 300% of LTA reported in parts of the south.

Monthly rainfall totals were also above their monthly LTAs during all three months of winter, Met Eireann reports.

It says that over half of stations reported their wettest winter on record with both Dublin Airport and Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford reporting their wettest winter since they opened 74 years ago with rainfall totals of 371.6mm and 514.6mm, respectively.

Malin Head reported its wettest winter on record since 1885 with a seasonal accumulation of 567.3mm. Some 80.6mm was reported at the station on December 5, which Met Eireann says was the season’s wettest day.

Meanwhile, all stations reported a mild winter with nearly all seasonal mean air temperatures above their LTA.

February monthly mean air temperatures were the only month to report below LTAs which put the month cooler than December and January this season.

Carlow (Oak Park) and two Dublin stations reported their warmest winter in eight and nine years, respectively.

The highest winter maxima were mainly recorded between December 17 and 19.

Met Eireann reports that the highest seasonal maximum of 16 degrees was at Malin Head, Co. Donegal on December 17, its highest winter maximum since 1955.

The lowest winter temperatures was recorded during the last week in February with the lowest air minimum reported at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath on February 24 with minus 5.9 degrees.

Winter’s lowest grass minimum was also reported on February 24 at Carlow (Oak Park) with minus 10.4 degrees, its lowest during winter for five years.

Looking at sunshine totals for winter, Cork Airport reported its sunniest winter day in 12 years with 9.7 hours of sunshine on February 24.

The lowest sunshine total were recorded at Knock Airport where 120 hours were reported and the highest at Dublin Airport with 194.5 hours.

There were six named winter storms, Desmond, Eva, Frank (all December) Gertrude (January 29), Henry and Imogen (February).

Met Eireann reports that the highest 10-minute sustained mean wind speed was at Sherkin Island on December 30 (Storm Frank) with 55 knots (102 km/h).