February 'warmest since 2002'

The warmer-than-normal winter continued through February, Met Éireann said today, with last month’s average temperatures one degree higher than usual.

Even though we had our fair share of frosty nights, mild weather during the day ensured there was a feeling that spring had finally sprung.

While temperatures rose to a high of 14.7C in Kilkenny on Monday, Clones in Co Monaghan felt the coldest on February 7 with a low of -6.5C.

Valentia station, off the Kerry coast, was the warmest on average at 7.9C, while Knock in Co Mayo was the coldest at an average 5C.

Met Éireann’s summary for the month said it was mild and mostly sunny but wet in the south.

Rainfall totals were above normal across the southern half of the country, but the north stayed relatively dry.

Met Éireann said that despite little rain before February 7, the total number of wet days, when 1mm or more of rain fell, was above normal everywhere. Most weather stations had 14 to 16 wet days, compared with the normal 11 to 15.

Valentia was by far the wettest with 20 days of rain.

We had our fair share of wintry showers over three days from February 7 to 10 with widespread falls of sleet or snow and hail or snow showers.

The sun shone right through the month, giving us a sunnier than normal February, yet most stations had their brightest days in the first week.

Forecasters said that at most stations it was the warmest February since 2002.

Frost affected most of the country in the first week, but for the rest of the month they were relatively uncommon.

Inland stations recorded between eight and 11, around normal for February, but none were recorded at either Rosslare or Valentia.