Wet and dull: how Met Éireann summarised June's weather

MANY PLACES IN Ireland recorded their highest ever June rainfalls last month.

According to Met Éireann’s summary, most stations recorded double or more of their average rainfalls over the 30-day period.

While two of the capital’s stations did not report records, Dublin Airport noted its wettest June in 19 years and Phoenix Park hadn’t seen that much rain since 2007. It also recorded eight “very wet days”, so classified when more than 10 mm of rain falls.

The rainiest days were June 7 and 8 with Shannon Airport measuring 41.8 mm on the 7th – its highest for June since 1947. However, the month’s highest daily rainfall was on the 22nd at Malin Head with 50.9 mm, its highest June fall since 1955 (57 years).

Knock Airport recorded a total of 22 wet days (more than 1 mm of rain).

It wasn’t just wet

It was cool and dull too. Mean temperatures were all below average and maximum temperatures were also lower than in previous years. Johnstown Castle and Malin Head both reported their coolest June since 1991.

Most maximum temperatures were recorded at the end of June, with the month’s highest temperature of 23.8°C at Phoenix Park on the 27th, its lowest June maximum in five years. Most other maximum temperatures recorded in the south, southwest and west were the lowest since 2002.

Sunshine was below average with Cork Airport reporting only 93 hours, around half of its average and its dullest June on record. Other stations reported it as the dullest June in a number of years. Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport showed it as their dullest since 1993.

There were also two days with reported ground frost – in the northwest on 10 June and the south on 19 June.

What lies ahead

It doesn’t look like the rain is going to let up during July with forecasters predicting another wet week. Tomorrow, rain will persist across the country during daylight hours, says Met Éireann.

There is also a slight risk of thunder for Wednesday and temperatures will range from 16 to 19°C.

The bad weather, while a nuisance for many, is causing serious problems for the farming community. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association says the recent conditions are making work difficult.

The group’s president has called for the approval of an advance payment under the Single Farm Payment because of the inclement weather.

“Land is waterlogged and silage-cutting has been an ordeal on many farms – in some cases the weather has been too wet to even cut it yet, while some farmers have cut silage but haven’t been able to pick it up, which is a disastrous situation,” explained Gabriel Gilmartin. “The bad weather is going to have huge cash flow implications in terms of higher meal bills, poor thrive and now, the risk that some winter feed won’t be saved at all.”

In recent years, the advance payment on 16 October has become a regular feature but it is not guaranteed as the Government has to present a case for the early release of the funding.

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