Wettest March in 20 years... but it was sunny

PARTS of the country saw the wettest March in more than 20 years, forecasters have revealed.

The month was plagued with bouts of heavy rain, frequent thunderstorms and strong winds but, despite spring’s bleak start, sunshine levels were 10% higher than normal.

While temperatures were about average, they plummeted low enough for a few days to bring sleet and snow showers to parts of the west, according to Met Éireann’s monthly summary.

Parts of the country suffered the wettest March for between 12 and 22 years, with Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome the wettest for 40 years.

The heaviest falls were recorded during the periods of March 9 to 11 and March 27 to 31, bringing localised flooding at the end of the month.

Most stations recorded between 16 and 22 wet days compared with a normal range of 11 to 17.

There was also a higher than average number of frosts, with Kilkenny’s 28 ground frosts its highest for March since the station opened in 1957.

The beginning of the month saw frequent bouts of heavy rain and strong winds as an Atlantic depression settled over the country.

The festivities around St Patrick’s weekend enjoyed a calmer, bright spell, before a cold front swept in from the north, bringing outbreaks of showers for the rest of the month.

Knock Airport recorded the highest rainfall level at 171mm, with the lowest at 71mm in Rosslare.

Shannon Airport enjoyed the month’s highest temperature at 13.5C on March 13, with the lowest, -4.1C, at Casement Aerodrome on March 18.