Ben Lowry: Autumn in Northern Ireland always seems to arrive in late August

This year we had one of the best Aprils on record. It was followed by the best May on record (the sunniest in Northern Ireland ever).
By Ben Lowry
Published 22nd Aug 2020, 13:01 BST
Updated 22nd Aug 2020, 13:19 BST
It has been wet across Britain and Ireland over the last week, such as at the shoreline in Saltcoats on the west coast of North Ayrshire above. But in Northern Ireland wet and grey conditions were not that unusual because autumnal weather typically begins in late AugustIt has been wet across Britain and Ireland over the last week, such as at the shoreline in Saltcoats on the west coast of North Ayrshire above. But in Northern Ireland wet and grey conditions were not that unusual because autumnal weather typically begins in late August
It has been wet across Britain and Ireland over the last week, such as at the shoreline in Saltcoats on the west coast of North Ayrshire above. But in Northern Ireland wet and grey conditions were not that unusual because autumnal weather typically begins in late August

The exceptional spring weather helped many people to survive psychologically being trapped at home (maybe it should be a planning requirement that all new houses have some garden and all flats have either balconies or access to an garden, so that no-one again has to experience a lockdown in an apartment with no outside space).

I knew we would pay for such a fine April and May. It was a near mathematical certainty that we would get bad summer weather.

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Average hours of annual sunshine in Northern Ireland are roughly the same from year to year (sunniest parts, such as southeast Co Down, get about 1,450 hours). That means that if there is a prolonged sunny spell, then – almost necessarily – there will be many dull days, to bring the annual total back towards the statistical norm.

People enjoy the sunshine on Castlerock beach at the end of May. The weather in Northern Ireland was oustanding in April and May, which meant some form of payback was due in terms of lots of dull summer days, writes Ben Lowry. Picture: Michael CooperPeople enjoy the sunshine on Castlerock beach at the end of May. The weather in Northern Ireland was oustanding in April and May, which meant some form of payback was due in terms of lots of dull summer days, writes Ben Lowry. Picture: Michael Cooper
People enjoy the sunshine on Castlerock beach at the end of May. The weather in Northern Ireland was oustanding in April and May, which meant some form of payback was due in terms of lots of dull summer days, writes Ben Lowry. Picture: Michael Cooper

And sure enough we suffered payback. July was the dullest in NI in more than 30 years, according to Armagh Observatory. It was also wetter and cooler than average.

August has been poor, particularly the last week. I associate late August with the onset of autumn.

While the Mediterranean gets hot weather into October and southern England is warm until late September, Northern Ireland summers end early.

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My late uncle rented a house on the north coast in the last week of each August. I have happy memories of those trips but not of the weather.

It has been wet across Britain and Ireland over the last week, such as at the Front Strand in Youghal, Co. Cork above on Wednesday. But in Northern Ireland it was not that unusual because autumnal weather typically begins in late August. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WireIt has been wet across Britain and Ireland over the last week, such as at the Front Strand in Youghal, Co. Cork above on Wednesday. But in Northern Ireland it was not that unusual because autumnal weather typically begins in late August. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
It has been wet across Britain and Ireland over the last week, such as at the Front Strand in Youghal, Co. Cork above on Wednesday. But in Northern Ireland it was not that unusual because autumnal weather typically begins in late August. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The sky always seemed to be grey.

• Ben Lowry (@BenLowry2) is News Letter deputy editor

• Ben Lowry: A return to general lockdown is not even remotely feasible

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Related topics:Northern IrelandBen LowryAutumnEngland