It might come as a surprise to those who wrapped up against sleet and snow showers last month, but it was the sunniest March for decades in most parts of the country.
Although March was a mixture of dry and settled conditions with spells of heavy rain and strong winds, it was very sunny everywhere, according to Met Éireann in its monthly report.
In the west of the country, sunshine totals were around 50 per cent higher than normal. It was the sunniest March since 1972 at Valentia observatory, and the sunniest at Belmullet since records began there in 1956.
March winds were also stronger than normal. In the middle of the month there were very strong winds, with damaging gusts over many parts of the country.
Due to this gusty spell, mean wind speeds for the month were the highest for March at most stations for nine or 10 years, and the average speeds were between 10 m.p.h. and 14 m.p.h. (9 and 10 knots).
Winds gusted at over 63 m.p.h. (55 knots) across most of the country on March 20th, causing significant disruption. The highest gust of 76 m.p.h. (66 knots) was measured at Belmullet that day.
Hail showers were most frequent in the same middle of the month, while snow was widespread on March 11th. There were isolated falls later in the month. Thunderstorms were also recorded.
Rainfall for the month was above normal in the south-west, but below normal at most stations, especially in the north. Heavy falls were measured at all stations around mid-month, some of which were- in the form of sleet or snow.
There were between 12 and 15 wet days with 1mm or more of rainfall. This is close to normal for March.
After cold weather during the first half of the month, it became milder. Mean air temperatures were between half a degree and one degree higher than normal.
The early part of the month continued the spell of very frosty weather which had developed in late February. In contrast, no air frost was recorded from March 10th onwards except at some inland stations.