June was another dry month at almost all stations, continuing a spell of relatively dry weather everywhere since the beginning of 2010. Six-month totals for the year so far are around 75% of normal generally, with only 63% of normal for the period measured at Claremorris. June, like the previous months of this year, was also sunnier than normal everywhere, while most days were warm.
High pressure was the dominant influence over Ireland during much of the month, bringing dry and sunny weather on most days. Monthly rainfall totals were around half of normal in western and northern areas and it was the driest June since 1941 at Malin Head. There was a total of between five and 10 wetdays (days with 1mm or more rainfall), compared with the normal range for June of nine to 13. Little or no rain was measured between the 14th and 27th, with most rain falling in the periods 6th/7th and on the 28th and 30th.
Mean monthly air temperatures were between one and two degrees higher than normal and it was the warmest June for 40 years at both Mullingar and Cork Airport. Mean maximum temperatures were over two degrees above normal at some stations; the period between the 20th and 27th was particularly warm, when daily maximum values rose above 20°C in most areas. Minimum temperatures fell below average around mid-month, with slight ground frost recorded on both the 15th and 19th.
Sunshine totals were above normal for the sixth successive month and were again well above normal in the southwest. Valentia Observatory’s sunshine total for the year so far of 1034 hours represents just over 150% of normal for the six-month period, by far the sunniest such period in over a century of sunshine records at the station. The sunniest days this month were close to the summer solstice, with around 16 hours of daily sunshine in places between the 19th and 21st.
