Exceptionally Dull May

Armagh Observatory reports that, with just 104.2 hours of strong sunshine, May 2014 was the dullest May at Armagh since at least 1885, that is, for at least 129 years. The month provided just 60% of the most recent (1981òÀÓ2010) May 30-year average for the total number of hours of strong sunshine. The sunniest day was the 21st, with a total of 12 hours of strong sunshine.

The mean monthly temperature was 12.1 degrees Celsius, approximately 0.9 degrees Celsius warmer than the most recent (1981òÀÓ2010) 30-year average for May. The warmest day (highest maximum air temperature) was 21.0 degrees C on the 31st, and the coolest night (lowest minimum air temperature) was 5.0 degrees C on the 3rd. There were 3 nights with ground frost. This was the warmest May at Armagh since 2008.

Total precipitation for the month was 60.9 mm (2.4 inches), approximately 5% wetter than the most recent (1981òÀÓ2010) 30-year average for May. The wettest day was the 10th, with 10.7 mm of rainfall.

May marks the end of the meteorological Spring (March, April and May). Taking Spring 2014 as a whole, this was the dullest Spring since 1998 but the fifth warmest on record, the five mildest Springs at Armagh now being 2011 (10.0 C), 1945 (10.0 C), 2007 (9.9 C), 1893 (9.9 C) and 2014 (9.8 C). Total precipitation was close to average.

These data refer to observations at Armagh Observatory, which has been recording the weather at Armagh since 1795.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mark Bailey at the Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG. Tel.: 028-3752-2928; FAX: 028-3752-7174; mebarm.ac.uk; URL: climate.arm.ac.uk.

Last Revised: 2014 June 3rd