October was the warmest on record for five years in most parts of the country and the hottest for four decades in some western areas, according to Met Éireann.
Met Éireann's monthly weather summary yesterday reported that it was the warmest October since 2001 at most stations, and the hottest since 1969 at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry, and Belmullet, Co Mayo.
Average air temperatures were close to two degrees higher than normal for the period between 1961-1990. Met Éireann said the mild conditions were associated with the south to south-westerly winds that prevailed across Ireland during most of the month.
However, these winds also led to heavy rain and some local flooding throughout the country. Rainfall levels were near normal in western areas, but about 50 per cent higher in some parts of the east and south.
Widespread rainfall of between 25 and 40mm in many places on October 25th led to localised flooding. Valentia Observatory recorded its wettest October day for 29 years on the 25th, when 55.3mm of rainfall was recorded.
While there were no exceptionally high maximum temperatures during the month, temperatures were consistently high on average, Met Éireann said. There was an average temperature of 13.5 degrees at Valentia Observatory, while Belmullet experienced the highest temperature of the month on the 13th, when it was 18.9 degrees.
Sunshine totals for the month were higher than normal, too, with the period between the 9th and the 14th being the sunniest overall. Dublin airport recorded 10.1 hours of sunshine on the 3rd, its sunniest October day since 1994.