Second Driest September on Record

Armagh Observatory reports that September 2014 was exceptionally dry, with just 3.55 mm of precipitation, which is nearly 20 times less than the monthтАЩs average rainfall. This was the second driest September on record at Armagh, that is, since daily rainfall records began in 1838; and the driest September for 120 years, that is since the very dry September 1894. The five driest Septembers recorded at Armagh are now 1894 (2.70 mm), 2014 (3.55 mm), 1933 and 1986 (both 4.20 mm), and 1865 (8.10 mm). The wettest day was the 22nd, with a total precipitation of just 1.2 mm.

The number of hours of strong sunshine was 101.8, approximately 10 percent fewer than the most recent 30-year (1981тАУ2010) September average of around 114 hours. The sunniest day was the 10th, with a total of 10.8 hours strong sunshine.

Despite the weather being dominated by prevailing high pressure, which lasted for the whole month, the average monthly temperature, 13.77 degrees Celsius, was remarkably similar to the figure for the previous year, September 2013. The average temperature was half a degree Celsius warmer than the most recent 30-year (1981тАУ2010) September average temperature, that is, 13.25 C.

The warmest day occurred on the 4th, with a maximum temperature of 23.6 C (nearly 75 degrees Fahrenheit). The coldest night, with a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees Celsius, occurred on the 13th. There were 8 days with ground frost.

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 October 2nd