April drier and sunnier than average

April was drier, sunnier and slightly milder than average, according to measurements collected by the Armagh Observatory.

The total precipitation for the month was 33.6mm, about 40% lower than average. The number of hours of sunshine was 167.6, which is about 15% higher than the April average.

The mean monthly temperature was 9.1C, which is about one degree C higher than average. The maximum temperature was 19.9C on April 11, and the lowest air temperature was -1.1C on April 1. There were 16 nights with grass frost and four with air frost.

The Armagh Observatory has been recording the weather at Armagh since 1795.