Warmest March since 1961
New temperature records for March were set at a few stations on the 19th, including Valentia Observatory’s 20.7°C, which was the highest March temperature recorded in Ireland since 1965.
The month also continued a spell of drier than normal weather extending back to last November.
At Dublin weather stations, for example, rainfall totals for this five month period were only around 70% of normal. Belmullet had its driest March since 1961, but totals were closer to normal in some midland and southern areas, due mainly to heavy rain on the 20th and 21st (when Kilkenny had its wettest March day since 1957).
Belmullet was also in the weather news on the 26th, with 11.6 hours of sunshine, its sunniest March day since 1956.
For farmers, the good news is that April is the driest month generally in Ireland, although June is the driest month in many southern parts.
