Arctic airstream blamed for October chill

An unseasonal Arctic airstream caused last month’s chill with counties in Leinster enduring the coldest October for 15 years, it was revealed today.

Weather experts said a very cold northerly system in the final week brought Ireland wintry showers, sleet, hail and even snow in northern areas and on high ground.

The chill was so severe in the run up to Halloween daytime and night-time temperatures were between five and eight degrees below normal, according to Met Éireann.

Heavy snow fell in parts of the country last Thursday as temperatures dropped to four degrees – the lowest daytime temperature in October in 74 years.

Forecasters said it is the first time since October 2004 that average monthly temperatures have fallen below normal.

Frontal weather systems associated with Atlantic depressions brought rain or showers every day during the first three weeks.

Many stations reported their wettest October in eight years.

Dublin Airport measured an air temperature of minus 1.3C on October 28 – the lowest in 60 years.

Twice the usual amount of ground frost was recorded in some inland areas with between 12 and 17 during the month.

But it wasn’t all bad news with sunshine levels up by almost a third everywhere.

Shannon Airport reported its sunniest October since records began in 1945 with sunny days on October 1, 8, 21 and 31.

Since the start of June, Dublin weather stations recorded rainfall at 80% of what they normally get in a full year.

The west saw between 22 and 25 wet days compared to an average of 17 and 22 days.

Flooding occurred on October 4, 10, 23, and 25, with Kenmare, Co Kerry, experiencing the worst of it on October 23.

October also proved to be a windier month compared to other years with wind speeds above normal everywhere.

The strongest wind was measured at 124 kilometres per hour, or 67 knots, at Bellmullet, Co Mayo, on October 25.