MET ÉIREANN‘S MONTHLY summary for April 2013 shows it was the coldest April for the past 24 years.

Stations at Mullingar, Sherkin Island and in coastal areas in the north and west were the coldest since 1989, with some stations in the western half of the country reporting the coldest April since the early 2000s.

All lowest air minimum temperatures were recorded during the cold period at the beginning of April, with -5.6°C and -6.6°C recorded at both Dublin Airport and Mullingar, their coldest April temperatures in 71 years and 63 years, respectively.

It was also a very windy month with the highest wind speeds recorded in some areas in 63 years.

Rainfall for the month was above average in parts of the south, west and midlands. Some 122.1mm of rain was recorded in Claremorris – its wettest April since 1991. Johnstown Castle reported the least rainfall for the month at 44mm.

Sunshine was above average at all stations. The sunniest day was at Cork Airport on 27 April with 12.8 hours, while Belmullet in Co Mayo recorded the least amount of dull days with just one on 7 April.

Read: We all spent less in March… (Was it the weather?)>

More: Coveney extends fodder scheme: ‘No animals should die of starvation’>

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