Cork weather station reports 119kmh gust during stormy December

THE highest gust in December was recorded at a Cork weather station during a month which saw four storms affecting the country.

Last month was “dominated by Atlantic low pressure systems”, said Met Éireann in its weather statement for December, 2023.

Storm Elin and storm Fergus, both named by Met Éireann, crossed directly over the country and brought widespread wet and windy weather on December 9 and 10.

Later in the month, storm Gerrit, named by the UK Met Office, brought “several pulses of wet and windy weather” on December 27 and 28, including thunderstorm activity.

The month finished with storm Geraldine, named by Météo-France, bringing further wet and windy weather.

December’s highest gust was reported at Sherkin Island off the coast of West Cork during storm Gerrit, with a wind speed of 119kmh (64 knots).

Gales were reported on 18 days during December.

Strong gales were reported on December 8, 9, 10, 27, 28, and 30.

The highest temperature last month was also recorded at a Cork weather station.

The national forecaster said all mean air temperatures across the country were above their long-term average (LTA) for the month.

Mean temperatures for the month ranged from 6.2 C (1.9 C above its LTA) at Knock Airport in Mayo, to 9.6C (1.6C above its LTA) at Sherkin Island.

The month’s highest temperature, 14.4C, was reported at Moore Park in Fermoy on Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, the month’s lowest air minimum was recorded on December 1 at Mount Dillon in Roscommon, at -5.8C, while the lowest grass minimum was -9.4C, reported at both Mullingar in Co Westmeath and Mount Dillon, also on December 1.

All weather stations reported ground frost during the month.

The number of days with ground frost ranged from three at Roche’s Point in Cork to 12 days at Mount Dillon.

More than half of the weather stations reported air frost during December.