Dull days at Armagh

Abstract The UK and Ireland experienced unusually gloomy weather from end‐October to early November 2024, raising the question of how often this occurs. Armagh Observatory’s 145‐year‐long sunshine record contains 10, 4 and 2 sequences respectively of 5, 6 and 7 sunless November days and the 7‐day sequence of sunless days from 30 October to 5 November 2024 was a roughly 1 in 50‐year event. Novembers at Armagh have also become slightly sunnier with time. These results are extended to include all months at Armagh. This work has implications for a wide range of fields involving strong sunshine and/or dull or sunless days.