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A period of hellish weather for farmers compounded by two storms in quick succession will see the second half of summer 2020 remembered as a washout.
An average of 115mm of rain fell across Met Éireann’s 25 stations in the first three weeks of August ranging from 209mm in Valentia, Co Kerry, and 67mm at Casement Aerodrome in west Dublin.
The figures were significantly increased as a result of the deluge brought by storm Francis with up to 50mm falling in places overnight on Monday.
The south of the country faced the initial effects but the heavy rain swept over the country to the west through Tuesday.
Last week alone saw between one-and-a-half to three times the usual rainfall in all areas.
Driest in northwest
The northwest of the country was the driest, recording the smallest amount of extra rainfall, with Belmullet and Malin Head seeing 33mm of rain last week, compared to 23mm in a normal year.
Storm Ellen also brought a significant spill of rain with Shannon Airport recording 62.5mm last week, second only to Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, with 66.5mm.
The southeast, midlands and northeast, all recorded volumes of rainfall over two and a half times normal.
By the end of this week, totals of between two and four times greater than normal are expected.
An average of 123mm of rain fell last month with totals as high as 188mm and 174mm in Newport, Co Mayo,and Athenry, Co Galway, respectively
A wet August is not usual – 158mm fell in the same month last year marking the beginning of a wet backend. However, it was preceded by a dry July and farms have not had the same luxury this time around.
An average of 123mm of rain fell last month with totals as high as 188mm and 174mm in Newport, Co Mayo,and Athenry, Co Galway, respectively.
The tricky conditions have seen many farms house cattle earlier than expected to avoid poaching, while tillage farmers have faced a smash-and-grab harvest trying to maximise limited windows of dry weather.
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