Wet Eireann by

“Nature is mightier than my shed.”

SgtDandelion — 2014-02-26 15:18:51 UTC

Jason Coleman

Met Eireann's January 2014 summary.

SgtDandelion — 2014-02-26 15:23:42 UTC

Rainfall

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-03 19:33:05 UTC

Most of the eastern half of the country gets between 750 and 1000 (mm) of rainfall in the year.

Rainfall in the west generally averages between 1000 and 1400 mm.

In mountainous areas rainfall exceeds 2000mm per year.

The wettest months, in nearly all areas are December and January.

Normally April is the driest month across the country. But June is the driest in some southern parts.

Winter Weather

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-03 19:39:04 UTC

JOKE!

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 11:21:11 UTC

When does it rain money?

When there is a change in the weather!

Weather Warnings are presented in three categories:

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Yellow - Be Aware!

These level weather alerts are for weather conditions that don't pose an immediate threat to the general population, but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity.

Orange - Be Prepared!

These are weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas. It implies that all people in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.

Red - Take Action!

These weather warnings should be a rare event and implies that people take action to protect themselves and/or their properties; this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions.

JOKE!

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 11:23:08 UTC

It only rains twice a year in Ireland...

August through April and May through July!

How heavy is the rainfall?

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 11:39:44 UTC

Hourly rainfall amounts in Ireland are low, ranging between 1 to 2mm. They can also be much higher, an hourly total of 10mm isn't uncommon and 15 to 20mm in an hour can be expected once in 5 years. It is rare for hourly totals to exceed 25mm in this country and when it does happen, they are usually associated with heavy thunderstorms.

RTÉ's Take on Winter Weather

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 11:46:44 UTC

Be Preapred!

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 11:52:02 UTC

by the Office of Emergency Planning

Sunshine

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 11:53:23 UTC

The sunniest months in Ireland are May and June. In these months sunshine averages between 5 and 6.5 hours a day.

The farthest southeast gets the most sunshine, averaging at 7 hours a day in early summer.

Lahinch Locals get Hammered

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 12:03:13 UTC

This photo by George Karbus

Satellite Picture

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-04 12:12:04 UTC

JOKE!

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-05 14:55:34 UTC

What does a cloud wear under his raincoat?

Thunderwear!

THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING VERYVERYFRIGHTENING

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-05 15:03:08 UTC

What is a thunderstorm?
This is a storm with lightning and thunder. Its produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, usually producing gusty winds, heavy rain and sometimes hail.

What causes a thunderstorm?
Thunderstorms occur where there is moisture, unstable air and lift. You need moisture to form clouds and rain. You need unstable air that is relatively warm and can rise rapidly. Finally, you need lift. This can form from fronts, sea breezes or mountains.

When are thunderstorms most likely to occur?
Thunderstorms can occur year-round and at all hours. But they are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours.

What is lightning? Lightning is a bright flash of electricity produced by a thunderstorm. All thunderstorms produce lightning. If you hear the sound of thunder, then there is also lightning.

What causes lightning?
Lightning is an electric current. Many small bits of ice within a thundercloud bump into each other as they move in the air. These collisions create an electric charge. After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges. The positive charges or protons form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or electrons form at the bottom of the cloud. Because opposites attract, that causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the cloud. The grounds electrical charge concentrates around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, people, or single trees. The charge coming up from these points eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and lightning occurs!

Cumulonimbus

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-05 15:06:58 UTC

Lightning

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-05 15:18:51 UTC

Lightning

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-05 15:23:26 UTC

JOKE!

SgtDandelion — 2014-03-05 15:25:40 UTC

What’s the difference between weather and climate?

You can’t weather a tree, but you can climate!