Warmest May for 160 Years

Armagh Observatory reports that the weather in May was much drier, brighter and warmer than average.

The monthly rainfall totalled 20.4 mm (0.80 in), or just one-third of the monthly average. So, last month, the driest May since 1991 (6.6 mm), was the 6th driest May in the last century.

The number of hours of sunshine was 239.2 hours, much higher than the average of 173 hours. Thus, last month was the sunniest May since 1975 (239.3 hrs) and the 6th sunniest since records commenced in 1880.

The mean monthly temperature was 13.2 degrees Celsius (57.8 degrees Fahrenheit), that is, over two degrees C higher than the norm. Last month was the warmest May since 1848 (13.2 deg C) and the second warmest since records began in 1795 (1809: 13.8 deg C). The maximum temperature occurred on 31st when the thermometer topped 24.1 deg C (75.4 deg F). However, despite this, there were still five nights with grass frost during the month.

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

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

Last Revised: 2008 June 2nd

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