Unpredictable June blows hot and cold

There are few things as fickle as the weather and the month of June was no exception.

Although it began with little promise and some unsettled weather, by the time the Leaving Certificate started on Jun 5, an improvement had set in which continued pretty much until the exams had finished.

Mid-month it took a turn for the worse but sunny conditions returned around Jun 19.

Cork Airport recorded its highest maximum temperature in five years on Jun 27, reaching the molten heights of 22.4C. In fact June’s sunniest day was also recorded at Cork Airport — a grand total of 15.8 hours sunshine on Jun 4 and 7.

Dublin Airport reported six consecutive days with over 14.5 hours of sunshine from Jun 4 to 9, a station record since it opened in 1942.

Overall, Met Éireann tells us that the majority of monthly mean temperatures were below average.

Coldest conditions compared to long-term average (LTA) were at Sherkin Island with a mean temperature of 13.1C, -0.8C below its June normal, while warmest conditions were at Belmullet, Co Mayo, with a mean temperature of 13.6C, +0.4C above its LTA.

Highest maximum temperatures were mainly recorded between Jun 7 and 9, with the month’s highest maximum of 25.4C recorded at Newport, Co Mayo, on Jun 8. Highest maxima in Dublin and surrounding areas were the lowest for June in five to 11 years.

Lowest minimum temperatures were mainly recorded on Jun 5 and 8, with the lowest minimum of 2.8C recorded at Mountdillon, Co Longford, on Jun 5.

Rainfall was below average in most places. No gale-force winds were recorded.

All in all, a pretty mixed bag, but at least July promises to be dryer.