Dublin Airport reports wettest January since 1948

January was the  wettest month in decades in some parts of the country. Dublin Airport reported its wettest January since 1948 with a total of 118.4mm (189% of LTA), attributing nearly half this monthly total to heavy rainfall recorded on the 5th and 9th. Met Éireann’s review of last month found that all weather stations reported above long-term average (LTA) rainfall. Percentage of LTA rainfall values ranged from 102% (monthly total of 98.1mm) at Gurteen, Co Tipperary to 192% (monthly total of 251.7mm) at Cork Airport, reporting its wettest January since 1988. Stations that reported over 160% LTA had their wettest January in 21 to 42 years. The wettest days of the month were 1st, 5th, 9th and 26th, with the most rainfall in 24 hours reported at Valentia Observatory in Co Kerry on the 26th (37mm). Shannon Airport, Co Clare reported its wettest January day in 11 years (on the 26th) with 23.4mm. The number of very wet days (10mm or more of rain) ranged from one at Shannon Airport and Gurteen to ten at Valentia Observatory.