January sees storms, freezes and record sunshine, Met Éireann data reveals
Tragumna Beach during Storm Isha, Picture: Andy GIbson
The first month of 2024 saw two named storms by Met Éireann, violent gales, temperatures dropping as low as -7C as well as record sunny periods, according to new provisional data.
January saw strong gales reported across seven days, as well as storm-force winds reported at five stations during Storm Isha and at one during Storm Jocelyn.
Provisional data from the January Climate Statement, released on Friday, saw Mace Head in Co Galway record a wind speed of 137km/h during Storm Isha on Sunday, January 21.
It was the highest gust speed recorded last month, while a mean wind speed of 105km/h was also recorded at the same station.
This was then the highest sustained mean wind speed for January in 20 years.
According to the national forecaster, an intense North Atlantic jet stream steered storms Isha and Jocelyn close to the north of the country between January 21 and 24, which brought widespread wet and windy weather and some damaging gusts.
The start of January also saw Storm Henk, named by the UK Met Office, mostly miss Ireland.
When it came to temperatures for January, the lowest was recorded in Athenry, Co Galway on January 18.
The reading of -7.3C was its lowest minimum temperature for January since 1994, the report said.
Met Éireann said an Arctic air mass began to move down from the north for most of the third week of January.
"This brought the coldest period of the month, with widespread severe frosts and wintry precipitation in places, especially in the North and West," the report said.
This then began to clear by the end of the third week of January.
Furthermore, Belmullet in Co Mayo recorded a high of 15.4C in January, which was its highest temperature for the month in 67 years.
While January saw a mixed bag of weather conditions, Cork Airport recorded the highest monthly sunshine total for January 2024, with a total of 94.6 hours.
The lowest was recorded in Belmullet, in Co Mayo — a total of only 51.7 hours.
In Co Clare, Shannon Airport recorded its sunniest January in 78 years, with a total of 87.9 hours.
Dublin Airport then recorded its sunniest day for the month in 82 years, with a total of 8.2 hours recorded on Tuesday, January 30.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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