Figures from Met Éireann show that the month of May was drier, sunnier and warmer than averages from previous years.

Rainfall

Nearly all rainfall totals were below their long-term average for the month of May, with the number of rain days ranging from nine days at Mullingar, Co Westmeath, to 21 days at Sherkin Island, Co Cork. The number of wet days ranged from four days at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin, to 15 days at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry. It was the sunniest May at Casement Aerodrome since 1991.

Lightning was a significant feature in the south and southeast on the 27 May.

Sunshine

May proved a very sunny month, almost compensating for the testing weather conditions during the spring of 2018. All stations recorded above average sunshine values.

The highest number of daily sunshine hours recorded during the month was 16.0 hours at Malin Head, Co Donegal, on the 29 May. The number of dull days ranged from two days at Knock Airport, Co Mayo, to six days at a few stations.

Temperature

All mean air temperatures across the country were above average for May.

Mean temperatures for the month ranged from 11.4°C at Dublin Airport to 13.1°C at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, and Newport, Co Mayo.

The lowest air minimum was -1.2 °C while the lowest grass minimum was -5.1 °C. More than half of stations reported ground frost.

Wind

There were no strong gales or storm-force winds reported. May’s highest gust of 46 knots (85km/h) was reported at three stations, all on the 11 May - Sherkin Island, Malin Head and Casement Aerodrome. The highest 10-minute wind speed was 35 knots (64 km/h) reported at Roche's Point, Co Cork, on the 11 May.

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