document_title: Windows Phone 8.1

question_text: name of the windows phone 8.1 virtual assistant

text: Windows Phone 8.1

text: History[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 was first rumored to be Windows Phone Blue, a series of updates to Microsoft's mobile operating system that would coincide with the release of Windows 8.1. Although Microsoft had originally planned to release WP8.1 in late 2013, shortly after the release of its PC counterpart,[12] general distribution of the new operating system was pushed back until early 2014.[13]

text: Instead of waiting over a year to add new features to Windows Phone 8, Microsoft opted to release three incremental updates to its existing mobile OS. These updates are delivered with corresponding firmware updates for the specific devices. The updates included GDR2 (Lumia Amber), which introduced features such as "Data Sense",[14] and GDR3 (Lumia Black), which brought support for quad-core processors, 1080p high-definition screens of up to six inches, the addition of a "Driving Mode," and extra rows of live tiles for larger "phablet" devices.[15]

text: The updated operating system's final name was leaked to the public when Microsoft released the Windows Phone 8.1 SDK to developers on February 10, 2014,[5] but it wasn't until Microsoft's Build conference keynote on April 2, 2014 when Windows Phone 8.1 was officially announced, alongside the Windows 8.1 Update. The final shipping code was released to registered users of the "Preview for Developers" program on April 14, 2014,[4] and to the general public in subsequent months, the actual release date being determined by the devices' wireless carriers and accompanied with firmware updates, including Lumia Cyan.

text: Preview for Developers[edit]

text: The "Preview for Developers" program was initiated in October 2013 with the release of Windows Phone 8 Update 3. The program was intended for developers and enthusiasts to gain immediate access to OS updates as they become available from Microsoft, bypassing wireless carriers and OEMs who test changes before including device-specific firmware updates.[16] Users of the "Preview for Developers" program do not void their warranty in most cases and can install any future firmware that is included with their carrier's official rollout of Windows Phone 8.1.[5]

text: The Windows Phone software updates delivered through "Preview for Developers" are complete, finished versions of the OS, as opposed to the Windows 10 Mobile builds in the Windows Insider program, which are preview versions of the software that are intended for users to try out new features before the final release and may contain bugs.

text: Features[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 introduces a host of notable new features, most of which were unveiled in a preview released to developers on February 10.[17]

text: Cortana[edit]

text: Cortana is a personal virtual assistant that was added in Windows Phone 8.1, and is similar to Google Now and Apple's Siri. The Cortana name derives from the Halo video game series, which is a Microsoft franchise exclusive to Xbox and Windows. Cortana's features include being able to set reminders, recognize natural voice without the user having to input a predefined series of commands and answer questions using information from Bing (like current weather and traffic conditions, sports scores, and biographies).

text: Cortana also uses a special feature called a "Notebook", where it will automatically gather information about and interests of the user based on usage and allow the user to input additional personal information, such as quiet hours and close friends who are allowed to get through to the user during these quiet hours. Users can also delete information from the "Notebook" if they deem it undesirable for Cortana to know.[18]

text: Windows 8.1's universal Bing SmartSearch features are incorporated into Cortana, which replaces the previous Bing Search app which is activated when a user presses the "Search" button on their device.[19]

text:
This feature, which is currently in beta, was released in the United States in the first half of 2014 and in China, the United Kingdom, India, Canada and Australia in August 2014.[20]
Microsoft has committed to updating Cortana twice a month and add features. The new features may include more "easter egg" replies, improvements in UI and better voice modulations.[21]

text: Web[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 uses a mobile version of Internet Explorer 11 as the default web browser. IE11 carries over many of its desktop counterpart's improvements, which include support for WebGL, normal mapping, InPrivate mode, Reading mode, and the ability to swipe left or right to navigate to a previous webpage and back. The updated browser also includes a new HTML5 video web player with support for inline playback and closed captions,[22] Windows 8-style website live tiles, and the ability to save passwords. Furthermore, users can now open an unlimited number of tabs, instead of the previous maximum of 6.[23]

text: If a user is logged in with their Microsoft account on both their Windows 8.1 device and Windows Phone, their tabs on IE11 will now sync automatically.

text: Apps and Windows Phone Store[edit]

text: App framework[edit]

text: Apps for Windows Phone 8.1 can now be created using the same application model as Windows Store apps for Windows 8.1, based on the Windows Runtime, and the file extension for WP apps is now ".appx" (which is used for Windows Store apps), instead of Windows Phone's traditional ".xap" file format. Applications built for WP8.1 can invoke semantic zoom, as well as access to single sign-on with a Microsoft account. The Windows Phone Store now also updates apps automatically.[24] The store can be manually checked for updates available for applications on a device. It also adds the option to update applications when on Wi-Fi only.

text: App developers will be able to develop apps using C# / Visual Basic.NET (.NET), C++ (CX) or HTML5/Javascript, like for Windows 8.

text: Developers will also be able to build "universal apps" for both Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8 that share almost all code, except for that specific to the platform, such as user interface and phone APIs.[25]

text: Any universal apps that have been installed on Windows 8.1 will automatically appear in the user's "My Apps" section on Windows Phone 8.1.

text: Apps built for Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7 automatically run on Windows Phone 8.1, but apps built for Windows Phone 8.1 will not run on any previous version of Windows Phone.[19]

text: Windows Phone Store[edit]

text: The Windows Phone Store was redesigned in Windows Phone 8.1 to become more information-dense. App collections, which were previously visible in a different page, are now fully featured on the front column of the Store. There is also no more distinction between Games and other apps; both now show up in the app list, although categories for apps and games (such as "most popular games" or "most popular apps") are still separated. App ratings have been designed to match those of Windows 8.1, with horizontal bars added to indicate how many 5-star, 4-star, or 3-star reviews an app has received. App screenshots now no longer have their own page, but can instead can be viewed at the bottom of the app description page. Furthermore, the Windows Phone Store now includes a "My Apps" section under the three-dot menu which allows users to re-install any app they have purchased previously.[26]

text: New and revamped apps[edit]

text: Battery Saver adds the ability to track battery usage and determine profiles that will lower power consumption. In addition, the "Background Tasks" page, which allows a user to stop or allow an individual app from running in the background, has been moved from the Settings menu to Battery Saver. In addition to just being able to stop a background task from running, users can now set profiles which will prevent certain apps from running only if the battery level is below a designated percentage.[27]

text: Storage Sense lets users move files and apps between their phone's hard drive and a microSD card, and incorporates features previously available in the "Settings" section that gave users the ability to delete temporary files to free up storage and uninstall applications.

text: Wi-Fi Sense automatically signs in Windows Phones to trusted available Wi-Fi hotspots. It also helps to share your own Wi-Fi credentials with your friends and contacts, but without the security compromise i.e. it only shares the WiFi connection without telling your friends the password.[28]

text: Calendar app now has a week view with current weather, similar to the features in the Microsoft Outlook calendar available to desktop users. The calendar further adds support for syncing Google Calendars with your Windows Phone.[29]

text: Maps has been overhauled with support for aerial-view, 3D mapping and a dynamic compass. Local Scout, which has been removed from Windows Phone 8.1 in the United States due to the implementation of Cortana, has been moved to Maps. The map also shows nearby WiFi-hotspots, if any available, in your location.[30]

text: Calling and Skype[edit]

text: The Dialer app adds a "Speed Dial" page, and calls from a single caller in Call History are now grouped. Clicking on the group will reveal individual call details such as the time and date the call was made. A button has been added next to each caller which allows unidentified callers to be added to a user's contact list or brings up information on an existing contact.[31]

text: Users can now automatically upgrade existing phone calls to Skype video calls from within the phone call UI, which has also been revamped with larger buttons. In addition to a large photo of the contact, text with the user's name and phone number now appear at the top of the screen instead of directly above the dialer. Skype calls can also be directly initiated from Cortana.[32]

text: Multimedia[edit]

text: Xbox Music and Xbox Video provide streaming services for movies, music, and TV shows, and are separated as opposed to being joined together in previous versions. Notably, Xbox Video now has built-in support for video streaming.[24] In addition to separating its music and video streaming services, 8.1 also adds support for separate volume controls, audio and video transcoding, hardware acceleration, stereoscopic 3D, and the ability for apps to capture and record video independently of the operating system's built-in video recorder. Furthermore, built-in support for streaming through DLNA to monitors and television screens, referred to by Microsoft as PlayTo,[33] is also included, as well as the ability to mirror display from a phone to a separate screen. Media editing tools have also been refined: apps for slow motion video capture, video effects, and audio effects have been added. Microsoft currently provides bi-weekly updates i.e. twice a month, to both of these apps. In August 2014, A2DP and AVRCP support was also added.[34]

text: The stock camera app has been updated with a more minimalist design similar to that of the camera app on Windows 8.1.[24] Additionally, users can now save high-resolution photos directly to OneDrive, instead of only having the option to upload the 5MP version of the image to the cloud.[35]

text: Multitasking[edit]

text: Building on improvements made in the third update to its predecessor, Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for closing apps by swiping down on them in the multitasking view (invoked by doing a long-press on the "back" button), which is similar to how multitasking operates on Windows 8 and iOS. Pressing the back button now suspends an app in the multitasking view instead of closing it.[36]

text: Live tiles[edit]

text: A third column of live tiles, which was previously available only to Windows Phones with 1080p and select phones with 720p screens, is now an option for all Windows Phone 8.1 devices regardless of screen size. Microsoft has also added the ability for users to skin live tiles with a background image.[32]

text: With the inclusion of Update 1, WP8.1 now lets users drag app tiles on top of each other to create folders of apps on the Start Screen. Each individual app within the folder can still appear as a Live Tile, and opening the folder simply expands it on the Start Screen so the user can rearrange and open apps.[17]

text: Social[edit]

text: The "Me" hub in Windows Phone 8.1 has been transformed from a single hub to update and maintain all social media accounts to a single hub to a viewer which allows users to view news feeds from social networks. When users click on a Facebook post, for example, they are instantly redirected to the Facebook app, instead of being allowed to like or comment on that post in the "Me" hub itself, a feature available in previous versions of Windows Phone. The Me hub's notification center for social networks has also been removed, as this feature is now integrated into Windows Phone 8.1's Action Center.[37] Supported social networks in the "Me" hub include Facebook, Foursquare, Linkedin, and Twitter, which has also been fully integrated into the Contacts Hub.[19]

text: "Threads," which allowed users to seamlessly switch between different chat services, have also been removed from the Messaging app, which is now solely for text messages. Other changes to the messaging app include the ability to select multiple text messages for forwarding or deletion.[17]

text: Lockscreen[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 adds the ability for OEMs and individual apps to customize their custom lock screen themes even further by skinning the font and orientation of time, date, and notification text.[32]

text: Notifications and settings[edit]

text: A new notifications center known as "Action Center" has been added, and allows for the ability to change simple settings such as volume controls. The new notifications area's design allows the user to for example change wireless networks, turn Bluetooth and Airplane Mode on or off, and access "Driving Mode" from four customisable boxes at the top of the screen, while beneath these four horizontally placed boxes include recent text messages and social integration.[38][39][40]

text: Apps can also send users location-specific notifications with the addition of a new geofencing API.[19]

text: Keyboard[edit]

text: Microsoft has added a Word Flow keyboard in Windows Phone 8.1 that, similarly to the Swype keyboard option available on Android devices, allows users to swipe through letters to type. As the user swipes, the keyboard generates space automatically for the next word to be entered.[32]

text: The keyboard was touted for its speed and accuracy, and brought fame to Microsoft's research division when fifteen-year-old Lakeside School student Gaurav Sharma, using a Nokia Lumia 520 equipped with Windows Phone 8.1 and the "Word Flow" keyboard, broke the Guinness World Record for the world's fastest typing on a mobile phone, which was previously held by a Samsung Galaxy S4 user, by 8 seconds.[41][42] This record was short-lived, which was subsequently beaten a month later by Marcel Fernandes, who finished a quarter of a second faster using the Fleksy Keyboard, a competing keyboard available on iOS and Android.[43] However, as Flesky relies on predictive text algorithms rather than swiping gestures, it is fair to say that "Word Flow" remains the world's fastest "swipe" keyboard on a mobile phone.

text: File system[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 allows apps to view all files stored on a WP device and move, copy, paste and share the contents of a device's internal file system. As a result of this change, multiple file explorer apps have been released on the Windows Phone Store since the operating system's debut. Microsoft released its own file explorer app on May 30, 2014.[44]

text: In addition to these changes, SkyDrive has been completely rebranded to OneDrive across the operating system after Microsoft's settlement of a dispute over the "Sky" trademark with BSkyB. Users are also presented with multiple options when a Windows Phone 8.1 device is connected to a computer via USB.

text: Enterprise improvements[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for VPN and Bluetooth 4.0 LE.[24] With the release of Update 1, receiving or sending data through VPN when connecting to a Wi-Fi network and the Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network) 1.0 standard are also supported.

text: Apps Corner is a kiosk mode that allows users to restrict usage to a select group of applications and boot straight into a specific app.[17]

text: Hardware[edit]

text: Devices[edit]

text: Windows Phone 8.1 devices are currently manufactured by Microsoft Mobile (formerly Nokia) and its hardware partners, including HTC, Gionee, JSR, Karbonn, Micromax, Samsung, Alcatel,[45] Lava (under both the Lava and Xolo brands), and  Blu.[46][47] Additionally, Gionee, JSR,  LG, Lenovo, Longcheer, and ZTE have registered as Windows Phone hardware partners, but have yet to release Windows Phone products. Sony (under the Xperia or Vaio brand) has also stated its intention to produce Windows Phone devices in the near future, but this has not materialized.[48] During BUILD 2014, Microsoft announced two additional hardware partners - Micromax and Prestigio.[49]

text: Hardware requirements[edit]

text: Starting with Windows Phone 8.1, several hardware buttons that were previously required on Windows Phone are no longer a requirement for device manufacturers, a move that was made in order to allow OEMs to develop devices that can run both WP and Android; the HTC One (M8) for Windows is an example of such a device.

text: WP now supports on-screen buttons that OEMs can use to replace the capacitive "back, "Windows", and "search" buttons that have been required for devices running the OS since 2010. The new on-screen buttons can be hidden by swiping them to the side of the screen.[50]

text: Windows Phone device manufacturers are also no longer required to include a physical camera button on the side of the phone.

text:
Windows Phone 8.1 minimum device requirements

Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, Snapdragon 200, Snapdragon 400, or Snapdragon 800 multi-core processor[51]

Minimum 512 MB RAM for WVGA phones; minimum 1 GB RAM for 720p / WXGA / 1080p

Minimum 4 GB flash memory

GPS and A-GNSS; GLONASS is supported if OEMs decide to include it

Support for micro-USB 2.0

3.5 mm stereo headphone jack with three-button detection support

Rear-facing AF camera with optional LED or Xenon flash, optional front-facing camera (both need to be VGA or better)

Accelerometer, proximity sensors, as well as vibration motor (magnetometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensors are optional)

802.11b/g and Bluetooth (802.11n is optional)

DirectX graphics hardware support with hardware acceleration for Direct3D using programmable GPU

Multi-touch capacitive touch screen with minimum of four simultaneous points

text: Version history[edit]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Tom Warren of The Verge said that it is clear that the Windows Phone OS is being left behind by its competitors. Although the Windows Phone store has many apps, there are still less than the Android and iOS stores, and the Windows Phone apps equivalents are severely lacking. However, he commends Windows Phone for its ability to run smoothly across a wide variety of hardware and the thoughtful addition of features.[52]


document_title: Mid-Bay Bridge

question_text: how long is the mid bay bridge in destin fl

root

text: Mid-Bay Bridge

text:
Mid-Bay Bridge
The Mid-Bay Bridge crosses Choctawhatchee Bay connecting U.S. Highway 98 in Destin to Florida State Road 20 in Niceville.Coordinates
30°26′00″N 86°25′05″W / 30.433393°N 86.418006°W / 30.433393; -86.418006Coordinates: 30°26′00″N 86°25′05″W / 30.433393°N 86.418006°W / 30.433393; -86.418006Carries
2 lanes of  SR 293Crosses
Choctawhatchee BayMaintained by
FDOTCharacteristicsTotal length
3.6 milesClearance below
64 FeetHistoryOpened
June 1993StatisticsToll
$4

tag: table

text: The Mid-Bay Bridge is a 141-span, 3.6-mile (5.8 km), two-lane toll bridge in Okaloosa County in the Florida Panhandle. It connects U.S. Highway 98 in Destin to State Road 20 in Niceville. The bridge generally runs north-south; the approaches to the bridge carry the State Road 293 designation while the bridge itself carries the TOLL 293 shield.

tag: p

text: The bridge crosses Choctawhatchee Bay, part of the Intracoastal Waterway. It was constructed in 1992-93, when the Florida Department of Transportation recognized the growing need for a more direct route between the Destin beaches and the mainland for tourists and to assist hurricane evacuation from population centers and resorts on the Gulf of Mexico. [1]

text: There is one toll plaza at the north end of the bridge. As of October 1, 2015, the one way toll for a standard 2-axle vehicle was $4.00 with cash, and $3.00 with the SunPass electronic toll system.[2]

text: Spence Parkway[edit]

text: The Spence Parkway is an, 11-mile, limited access, 2-lane, separately tolled highway that connects the north end of the Mfid-Bay Bridge with SR 85 immediately north of Niceville, Florida. Interchanges at SR 85, SR 285, Forest Road and SR 20 allow easy access from Interstate 10 to Niceville, Destin, Miramar Beach, and communities East of Niceville along SR 20. The new Parkway provides considerably shorter travel times by avoiding 13 traffic signals along the previous route through Niceville on SR 20. Additionally, the hurricane evacuation routes from all of south Okaloosa County and western Walton County have been significantly improved.

text: The Spence Parkway is tolled separately from the Mid-Bay Bridge and utilizes “all electronic open-road tolling” that allows customers to pay tolls without slowing down or stopping. Tolls are collected with SunPass transponders or by using a new TOLL-BY-PLATE program being implemented statewide by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. [3]


document_title: Climate of Ireland

question_text: when does it rain the most in ireland

question_tokens: when does it rain the most in ireland

text: Climate of Ireland

text: Temperature[edit]

text: Ireland experiences a lack of temperature extremes compared to other areas at similar latitudes. There is regional variation, with inland areas being cooler in winter and warmer in summer than their coastal counterparts.

text: The warmest areas are found along the southwest coast. Valentia Island has the highest average temperature, at 10.9 °C.

text: The coldest areas are found inland. Mullingar has the lowest average temperature, at 9.3 °C

text: The highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3 °C at Kilkenny Castle, on 26 June 1887. The lowest temperature was -19.1 °C at Markree Castle on 16 January 1881.[9]

text: Six of the warmest ten years in Ireland have occurred since 1990.[10] Due to climate change, it is estimated that the temperatures will rise everywhere of up to 3.4 degrees by the end of the century. [11]

text: Extreme heat and cold are both rare throughout the country. Summer temperatures exceed 30 °C usually once or twice every decade (2018, 2016, 2013, 2006, 2005, 2003, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1983, 1976 and 1975 are recent examples), although they commonly reach the high 20s most summers, while severe freezes occur only occasionally in winter, with temperatures below -10 °C being very uncommon in the lowlands, and temperatures below freezing uncommon in many coastal areas, although temperatures in the Wicklow Mountains are said to reach -10 °C annually.[citation needed]

text:
hideClimate data for Ireland

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Record high °C (°F)

18.5 (65.3)

18.1 (64.6)

23.6 (74.5)

25.8 (78.4)

28.4 (83.1)

33.3 (91.9)

32.3 (90.1)

31.5 (88.7)

29.1 (84.4)

25.2 (77.4)

20.1 (68.2)

18.1 (64.6)

33.3 (91.9)

Record low °C (°F)

−19.1 (−2.4)

−17.8 (0)

−17.2 (1)

−7.7 (18.1)

−5.6 (21.9)

−3.3 (26.1)

−0.3 (31.5)

−2.7 (27.1)

−3 (27)

−8.3 (17.1)

−11.5 (11.3)

−17.5 (0.5)

−19.1 (−2.4)

Source #1: Met Éireann[9]

Source #2: The Irish Times (November record high)[12]

text: Frost[edit]

text: Air frost occurs frequently in the winter, with most areas seeing over 40 days of air frost every year. In northern areas, air frost occurs on average 10.2 days every January, the month in which air frost occurs most frequently.[13] In the Sperrins and the Glens of Antrim air frost occurs around 80 days a year.[14] The pattern is similar with ground frost, with on average around 100 days of ground frost in the lowlands and over 140 in the mountains.[15]The number of frost days in Ireland have declined massively over the past decade.The largest season decrease has been known to take place in winter.[4]

text: Frost is rarer along the coast, in urban areas and also in western and southern areas.

text: Roches Point, County Cork receives the least number of days with air frost, with an average of 7.0 days with air frost recorded annually.[16]

text: Kilkenny, County Kilkenny receives the highest number of days with air frost, with an average of 53.0 days with air frost recorded annually.[17]

text: In Dublin, Dublin Airport records air frost on average 24.3 days per year, while Casement Aerodrome (which is further inland) records air frost on average 41.3 days per year.[18][19]

text: Sunshine[edit]

text: The sunniest months are May and June. During these months sunshine duration averages between 5 and 6½ hours per day over most of the country. The southeast gets the most sunshine, averaging over 7 hours a day in early summer. December is the most overcast month, with an average daily sunshine ranging from about 1 hour in the north to almost 2 hours in the southeast. Over the year as a whole most areas get an average of between 3¼ and 3¾ hours of sunshine each day. Irish skies are completely covered by cloud roughly half of the time.

text: The sunniest part of the island is the southeast coast. Rosslare, County Wexford is the sunniest area, and receives on average 4.38 hours of sunshine per day (1,598.41 hours per year).[20]

text:
showClimate data for Rosslare, County Wexford, elevation 26m, (1978-2007)

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Average high °C (°F)

8.8 (47.8)

8.5 (47.3)

9.9 (49.8)

11.3 (52.3)

13.6 (56.5)

16.3 (61.3)

18.3 (64.9)

18.5 (65.3)

16.8 (62.2)

14.0 (57.2)

11.3 (52.3)

9.5 (49.1)

13.1 (55.5)

Average low °C (°F)

4.2 (39.6)

4.1 (39.4)

5.1 (41.2)

6.3 (43.3)

8.6 (47.5)

11 (52)

12.7 (54.9)

13 (55)

11.6 (52.9)

9.3 (48.7)

6.7 (44.1)

5.2 (41.4)

8.2 (46.7)

Average precipitation mm (inches)

88.4 (3.48)

70.8 (2.787)

69.1 (2.72)

59.1 (2.327)

55.7 (2.193)

54.9 (2.161)

49.9 (1.965)

71.6 (2.819)

75.0 (2.953)

109.3 (4.303)

100.9 (3.972)

100.8 (3.969)

905.5 (35.649)

Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)

12

11

11

9

9

9

8

9

9

13

12

13

125

Mean monthly sunshine hours

60.34

75.72

114.14

173.88

214.86

189.9

199.45

191.1

146.07

105.53

73.34

55.2

1,599.53

Source #1: Met Éireann

Source #2: European Climate Assessment & Dataset,[21]

text:
The cloudiest (i.e. least sunny) parts of the island are generally the west and northwest of the country. However, Birr, County Offaly, in the midlands, is the most cloudy (overcast) station, receiving on average 3.2 hours of sunshine per day, considerably less than the stations at Malin Head in the north or Belmullet in the west.[22]
Inland areas tend to receive less sunshine than coastal areas due to the convective development of clouds over land. Cloud develops because of vertical air currents caused by thermal heating of the ground.[23]

text:
showClimate data for Birr, County Offaly, elevation 73m, (1979-2008)

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Average high °C (°F)

8.1 (46.6)

8.6 (47.5)

10.3 (50.5)

12.6 (54.7)

15.5 (59.9)

17.8 (64)

19.6 (67.3)

19.3 (66.7)

17.1 (62.8)

13.6 (56.5)

10.4 (50.7)

8.6 (47.5)

13.5 (56.2)

Average low °C (°F)

2 (36)

2 (36)

3.3 (37.9)

4.3 (39.7)

6.6 (43.9)

9.5 (49.1)

11.6 (52.9)

11.3 (52.3)

9.3 (48.7)

6.6 (43.9)

4 (39)

2.7 (36.9)

6.1 (43)

Average precipitation mm (inches)

78.8 (3.102)

58.6 (2.307)

67.4 (2.654)

55.0 (2.165)

59.5 (2.343)

66.5 (2.618)

59.4 (2.339)

81.6 (3.213)

66.4 (2.614)

94.3 (3.713)

74.7 (2.941)

83.8 (3.299)

846 (33.308)

Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)

14

11

14

11

12

11

11

12

11

14

13

13

147

Mean monthly sunshine hours

47.31

63.53

89.17

136.54

159.73

134.7

124.33

125.26

107.66

88.83

57.57

42.69

1,177.32

Source #1: Met Éireann

Source #2: European Climate Assessment & Dataset,[24]

text: Precipitation[edit]

text: Precipitation[edit]

text: Rainfall is the most common form of precipitation on the island, and is extremely common throughout Ireland, although some parts of the west coast receive over four times as much rain as the east coast. Rainfall in Ireland normally comes from Atlantic frontal systems which travel northeast over the island, bringing cloud and rain. Most of the eastern half of the country has between 750 and 1,000 mm (29.5 and 39.4 in) of rainfall in the year. Rainfall in the west generally averages between 1,000 and 1,250 mm (39.4 and 49.2 in). In many mountainous districts rainfall exceeds 3,000 mm (118.1 in) per year. The wettest months almost everywhere are December and January. April is the driest month generally, but in many southern parts June is the driest.

text: The average number of "wet days" (days with more than 1 mm (0.039 in) of rain) ranges from about 151 days a year along the east and southeast coasts, to about 225 days a year in parts of the west.

text: The wettest weather station is Valentia Island, which receives 1,430.1 mm (56.30 in) of rain per year, on average.[25]

text: The driest weather station is Casement Aerodrome, which receives 711.4 mm (28.01 in) of rain per year, on average.[19]

text: The weather station with the highest number of "wet days" is Belmullet, with 193 days per year,[26] while the station with the lowest number of "wet days" is Dublin Airport, with 128 days per year.[18]

text: Rainfall records[edit]

text:
The driest year recorded in Ireland was 1887, with 356.6 mm (14.04 in) of rain recorded at Glasnevin, County Dublin.
The longest drought in Ireland occurred in Limerick between 3 April 1938 and 10 May 1938 (37 days).
The greatest monthly total was 790.0 mm (31.10 in); recorded at the Cummeragh Mountains, County Kerry, in October 1996.
The greatest annual total was 3,964.9 mm (156.10 in); recorded at Ballaghbeena Gap in 1960.
The greatest hourly total was 97 mm (3.82 in); recorded at Orra Beg, County Antrim, in August 1980.
The greatest daily total was 243.5 mm (9.59 in); recorded at Cloone Lake, County Kerry, on 18 September 1993.

tag: ul

text: Snowfall[edit]

text: Severe cold weather is uncommon in Ireland with the majority of winter precipitation coming in the form of rain, although hills and mountainous regions in the country can commonly see up to 30 days of snowfall annually, with the Wicklow Mountains sometimes seeing 50 or more days of snowfall annually. Most low-lying regions of the island only see a few days of lying snow per year (from December to March inclusive), or may see no snow at all during some winters.

text: However, there are preparations for snow and ice, including the distribution of grit, salt, and other snow-treatable minerals. In late 2011, the Irish Government set up "Winter-Ready", in order to prepare the country for such severe weather.[28]

text: Due to the variability of Ireland's weather (which is mainly because of the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift, as well as Ireland's northerly latitude and vulnerability to Siberian/Arctic winds) weather during the winter months is difficult to predict, with the aforementioned factors making both extremely low temperatures and relatively mild temperatures possible.

text: The snowiest weather station is Clones, County Monaghan, which receives, on average, nearly 30 days of snow and/or sleet per year. Of these, 10.8 days have snow lying at 09:00.[29] The least snowy weather station is Valentia Island, County Kerry; which receives, on average, 5.6 days of snow and/or sleet per year. Of these, 0.8 days have snow lying at 09:00.[25]

text: Hail[edit]

text: Hail, like snow and sleet, is also rare in Ireland; however, it can occur at any time of the year. It is most common in spring during thunderstorms.

text: Malin Head, County Donegal receives the most hail, with an average of 48.4 days per year.[30]

text: Roches Point, County Cork receives the least hail, with an average of 8.0 days per year.[31]

text: Thunderstorms[edit]

text: Thunderstorms are quite rare in Ireland.[citation needed] They are more likely to happen late in summer, although they can occur at any time of the year.

text: Cork Airport, County Cork experiences the least thunder; receiving it 3.7 days per year on average.[32]

text: Valentia Island, County Kerry experiences the most thunder; receiving it 7.1 days per year on average.[25]

text: Wind[edit]

text: Generally, the coast tends to be windier than inland areas; and the west tends to be windier than the east.

text: The station with the highest mean wind speed is Malin Head, County Donegal; averaging at 16.3 kn (30.2 km/h; 18.8 mph). Malin Head also receives the most gale-force winds, recording them on average 66.0 days per year.[30]

text: The station with the lowest mean wind speed is Kilkenny, County Kilkenny; averaging at 6.5 kn (12.0 km/h; 7.5 mph).[17]

text: The station that records the lowest number of gale-force winds is Birr, County Offaly; recording them on average 1.2 days per year.[33]

text: The highest wind speed ever recorded in Ireland was 103 kn (191 km/h; 119 mph) at Fastnet Lighthouse, County Cork on 16 October 2017.[27][not in citation given]

text: Tornadoes are very rare in Ireland, with around less than ten reported every year - mostly in August.[34]

text: Fog[edit]

text: Fog is more common inland and on higher altitudes; mainly during winter and during the morning at times of high pressure.

text: The foggiest station is that at Cork Airport, County Cork, which has 99.5 days of fog per year.[32]

text: The least foggy station is that at Valentia Island, County Kerry, which has 8.9 days of fog per year.[25]

text: Visibility[edit]

text: Visibility is generally very good, because of the proximity of industry to the coast, allowing breezes to disperse any smog.[35] Mist and fog often occur, as well as coastal fog in the east,[36] but it is generally not long-lasting. However, in winter, it can be slow to clear.[35]

text: Climate charts[edit]

text:
Belmullet (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

134

9
4

97

9
4

99

10
5

72

12
6

70

15
8

72

16
10

79

18
12

102

18
12

102

17
11

146

14
8

134

11
6

137

9
4

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

5.3

48
39

3.8

48
38

3.9

51
40

2.8

54
42

2.8

58
46

2.8

61
51

3.1

64
54

4

64
54

4

62
51

5.7

57
47

5.3

52
43

5.4

49
40

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Birr (1979-2008)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

79

8
2

59

9
2

67

10
3

55

13
4

60

16
7

67

18
10

59

20
12

82

19
11

66

17
9

94

14
7

75

10
4

84

9
3

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

3.1

47
36

2.3

47
36

2.7

51
38

2.2

55
40

2.3

60
44

2.6

64
49

2.3

67
53

3.2

67
52

2.6

63
49

3.7

56
44

2.9

51
39

3.3

47
37

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Casement Aerodrome (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

64

8
2

49

8
2

51

10
3

52

12
4

59

15
7

63

18
9

54

20
12

72

20
11

60

17
10

82

14
7

74

10
4

76

8
2

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

2.5

46
36

1.9

47
36

2

50
38

2

54
39

2.3

59
44

2.5

64
49

2.1

68
53

2.8

67
52

2.4

63
49

3.2

56
45

2.9

50
40

3

47
36

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Clones (1978-2007)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

88

7
2

71

8
2

84

10
3

62

12
4

63

15
7

71

17
10

71

19
11

89

19
11

76

17
9

103

13
7

85

10
4

98

8
2

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

3.4

45
35

2.8

46
35

3.3

49
37

2.4

54
40

2.5

59
44

2.8

63
49

2.8

67
53

3.5

66
52

3

62
49

4

56
44

3.4

50
39

3.9

46
36

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Cork Airport (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

131

8
3

98

8
3

98

10
4

77

12
5

82

14
7

81

17
10

79

19
12

97

19
12

95

17
10

138

13
8

120

10
5

133

9
4

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

5.2

47
37

3.9

47
38

3.8

50
39

3

53
41

3.2

58
45

3.2

63
50

3.1

66
53

3.8

65
53

3.7

62
50

5.4

56
46

4.7

51
41

5.2

47
39

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Dublin Airport (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

63

8
2

49

8
2

53

10
3

54

12
5

60

15
7

67

18
10

56

20
12

73

19
12

60

17
10

79

14
7

73

10
5

73

8
3

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

2.5

47
36

1.9

47
36

2.1

50
38

2.1

54
40

2.3

59
44

2.6

64
49

2.2

67
53

2.9

67
53

2.3

63
50

3.1

56
45

2.9

51
40

2.9

47
37

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Kilkenny (1978-2007)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

78

8
2

66

9
2

68

11
3

56

13
4

60

16
7

61

18
9

55

20
11

78

20
11

69

18
9

95

14
7

80

11
4

90

9
2

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

3.1

47
35

2.6

47
35

2.7

51
38

2.2

55
40

2.4

60
44

2.4

65
49

2.1

69
52

3.1

68
52

2.7

64
48

3.8

57
44

3.2

51
39

3.6

48
36

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Malin Head (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

117

8
4

85

8
4

86

9
4

63

11
6

57

13
8

69

15
10

77

17
12

93

17
12

92

16
11

118

13
9

105

10
6

114

9
4

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

4.6

47
38

3.3

47
38

3.4

49
40

2.5

51
42

2.2

56
46

2.7

59
51

3

62
54

3.7

63
54

3.6

60
52

4.7

55
47

4.1

51
43

4.5

47
40

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Mullingar (1979-2008)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

92

7
2

72

8
2

78

10
3

62

12
4

69

15
6

71

17
9

62

19
11

81

19
11

74

17
9

102

13
6

82

10
4

97

8
2

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

3.6

45
35

2.8

46
35

3.1

50
37

2.4

54
39

2.7

59
43

2.8

63
49

2.4

67
52

3.2

66
51

2.9

62
48

4

56
43

3.2

50
38

3.8

46
36

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Rosslare (1978-2007)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

88

9
4

71

9
4

69

10
5

59

11
6

56

14
9

55

16
11

50

18
13

72

19
13

75

17
12

109

14
9

101

11
7

101

10
5

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

3.5

48
40

2.8

47
39

2.7

50
41

2.3

52
43

2.2

56
47

2.2

61
52

2

65
55

2.8

65
55

3

62
53

4.3

57
49

4

52
44

4

49
41

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Shannon Airport (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

102

9
3

76

9
3

79

11
5

59

13
6

65

16
8

70

18
11

66

20
13

82

20
13

76

18
11

105

14
8

94

11
6

104

9
4

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

4

48
38

3

49
38

3.1

52
40

2.3

56
42

2.6

61
47

2.7

65
52

2.6

68
55

3.2

67
55

3

64
51

4.1

58
47

3.7

52
42

4.1

48
38

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

text:
Valentia Island (1981-2010)

Climate chart (explanation)

JFMAMJJASOND

174

10
5

124

10
5

124

11
5

97

13
6

94

15
8

95

17
11

99

18
13

115

18
13

125

17
11

177

14
9

169

12
7

165

10
5

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

showImperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

6.8

50
40

4.9

50
40

4.9

52
42

3.8

55
43

3.7

59
47

3.8

62
51

3.9

65
55

4.5

65
55

4.9

63
52

7

58
48

6.7

53
44

6.5

51
42

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches