Just over 60mm of rain fell in the area during February (recorded at the closest weather station in Birr) only slightly more than normal. The mean air temperature of 5.9 degrees C for the month was almost 1 degree higher than normal, as was the mean soil temperature at 5.2 degrees C. The total amount of solar radiation for the month (intensity of energy from the sun including overcast days) was slightly higher than normal (12672 Joules/sqcm). The wind was generally light and there were several periods of snow and hail throughout the month.
In the temperature charts above (extracted from the Met Éireann summary) the cold first week and warmer conditions for the rest of the month can be seen. The soil warmed considerably, creating better sowing conditions for the beginning of March
A lot of the monthly precipitation fell as snow and sleet towards the end a very sunny first week following more than two weeks without any precipitation at all.
