Temperatures and sunshine levels were below July average

Average temperatures and sunshine levels were both down in July, bearing out a perception that it was one of the worst summer months in recent times.

Met Éireann figures show that temperatures were down by between 0.2 and 0.8 degrees at meteorological stations from Cork to Clones.

Not since 1986, moreover, has there been as dull a July in the east, with sunshine levels as low as 62 per cent of the norm at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

Last month was also wetter than normal at most stations, although there were wide variations in total rainfall. At Rosslare, rainfall was 30 per cent below normal, while at Casement Aerodrome it was 60 per cent above, thus highlighting the miserable conditions in the Dublin area.

In fact, Met Éireann said that Dublin had its wettest July for between seven and nine years.

Conversely, Shannon Airport had its driest since 1989.

The figures show that there were between eight and 10 wet days (days with 1mm or more of rainfall) last month in the south and south-east. Other areas had between 13 and 19 wet days, compared to the normal range for July of 10 to 15.

Mean air temperatures were about half a degree below normal and most stations recorded the coolest July for between nine and 14 years. At Malin Head, it was the coolest since 1978.

Over the eastern half of the country there were between four and 10 days - mainly during the final week of the month - during which temperatures reached 20 degrees. Further west, it was cooler, and neither Belmullet nor Valentia Observatory recorded temperatures above 20 degrees at any time during the month.

Mean windspeeds for the month of between six and 11 knots (7 and 13m.p.h.) were below normal for July almost everywhere.

Met Éireann forecaster Dr Aidan Nulty said that while the month had been a bad one, it was not necessarily among the worst on record. "One summer in five tends to be a good one, three are mediocre and the last one bad. This seems to be a bad summer, but it's not completely out of the ordinary."

Some relief came yesterday, when many areas had prolonged sunshine and temperatures of up to 25 degrees. More of the same is forecast for today.

An area of high pressure over the country means that inland temperatures today are likely to reach between 22 and 25 degrees. It will be cooler in coastal areas. There is a risk of showers and there may be some mist and low cloud early on, but this should burn off by late morning, according to Met Éireann.