IT\u2019S been wet, windy and cloudy \u2014 so it\u2019s not surprising to discover that Ireland is having its coolest summer in nearly half a century.<\/span><\/p>\n And unfortunately, as we edge closer to the end of the month, weather experts say there is virtually no chance of a late reprieve \u2014 the final two weeks of August are predicted to be equally disappointing.<\/span><\/p>\n Official data shows that the summer\u2019s top temperatures haven\u2019t been so chilly for 46 years \u2014 with forecasters branding the summer \u201ca stinker\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n This summer the highest temperature of 25.5C was at Oak Park, Co Carlow, on June 3.<\/span><\/p>\n But that high has not been reached since \u2014 making summer 2011 the coolest since 1965 when a paltry high of 25.2C was recorded at Ballybrittas, Co Laois.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis has been a disappointing summer for Ireland and with the remainder of the month looking somewhat gloomy, this summer really has been a bit of a stinker,\u201d said Jonathan Powell of online international forecasters Positive Weather Solutions (PWS).<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt showed promise but delivered only sporadic bursts of good weather.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Recent weak temperatures are making this month the coolest August in nearly two decades. Temperatures recorded at Cork Airport of 13.9C represent the lowest in August since 1992.<\/span><\/p>\n Shannon Airport recorded a similarly disappointing 14.8C average for the month, the coolest since 1993.<\/span><\/p>\n And according to Met Eireann, temperatures for August have been below average at six of the 10 weather stations around Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n While the majority of stations recorded average or below average rainfalls in July, the month did prove to be colder than usual.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMost temperatures across the country were between 0.5C and 1C below average,\u201d Met Eireann noted.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDublin Airport reported its coolest July in 46 years with the mean air temperature of 13.8C while some stations in the south and south-west recorded their coolest July since 1988.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n And the coming week will be as wet as we have become accustomed to \u2014 with every day expected to offer a tantalising glimpse of sunshine before being undercut by rainy spells and showers, with temperatures never breaking the 20C mark.<\/span><\/p>\nTantalising<\/h3>\n