THE past winter has been the driest since 1992 in most places, with rainfall totals below normal everywhere, according to Met Eireann. However, 60 to 70 per cent of the entire winter's rain fell during February, and February was also the windiest month, with the strongest gust of the season of 80 knots (92 miles) an hour recorded at Malin Head on February 24th.
Generally, the winter just ended was "much closer to normal" in terms of temperature, than recent years. Temperatures were "slightly above average everywhere except at Valentia Observatory [Co Kerry] and Belmullet".
Colder than normal weather during December and January was balanced by a relatively mild February in spite of rain and wind with seasonal averages ranging from 4.7 C at Mullingar to 6.8 at Valentia.
The period around New Year's Day was particularly cold, with Valentia recording 6.8 on January 3rd, its lowest air temperature since 1969. On the same date its grass temperature was 10.2.
Shannon airport had the highest temperature of the winter, recording 14.1 on February 27th, while Kilkenny had the most hours of sunshine on a given day, 8.8 hours on February 28th.
