Wet and windy weather dominated most of October culminating with Storm Aiden, which brought widespread gales and heavy rain towards the end of the month.

Rainfall levels were above average in most places, highest in the west and northwest. The majority of monthly rainfall totals were above their long-term average.

Percentage of monthly rainfall values ranged from 80% at Sherkin Island, Co Cork, to 158% at Markree, Co Sligo – its wettest October since 1998.

Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 80.4 mm at Phoenix Park, Co Dublin, to 228.1mm at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry.

Temperature

Teperature was below average everywhere, deviations from mean air temperature ranged from -0.8°C at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, to -0.1°C at Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

The month's highest temperature was reported at Newport, Co Mayo on Saturday 3 October, with a temperature of 16.8°C.

The month's lowest air minimum was recorded on at Markree, Co Sligo, at -0.8°C, while the lowest grass minimum temperature was -3.0°C reported at Oak Park, Co Carlow.

More than half of stations reported ground frost. The number of days with ground frost ranged from zero at a few stations to 12 days at Markree.

Sunshine

Sunshine was above average everywherem, with percentage of monthly sunshine values ranging from 103% at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 134% at Cork Airport.

Monthly sunshine totals ranged from 78.6 hours at Malin Head, Co Donegal, to 139.1 hours at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford.

Wind

Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 12.2 km/h at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, to 32.2 km/h at Mace Head, Co Galway.

Gales were reported on 12 days during the month. Five stations in the southwest had their highest mean wind in October for over 10 years.

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Less rainfall and increased sunshine recorded in September