Forecast issued at: Monday 09th September 2024 14:00
Rain
Over the past week, most areas were much drier than average, with rainfall amounts generally between 5% and 80% of normal. It was driest in the west with just 1.2mm recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo. However, some eastern parts were wetter than normal due to localised heavy showers early in the period. As a result, 25.5mm was recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin. It will be more changeable in the week ahead with rain and showers spreading from the Atlantic at times. As a result, rainfall amounts are likely to be near or slightly above average across the country.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were near or slightly above normal during the past week, ranging between 13.7 degrees in the north and 14.9 degrees in the south. Soil temperatures are currently higher than normal, ranging between 13.9 and 16 degrees, which is between 1.2 and 2.5 degrees above average. It will turn cooler in the week with mean air temperatures dropping to between 11 and 14 degrees, which is 1 or 2 degrees below normal. It will be coolest during the working week with temperatures expected to increase over the weekend. Soil temperatures will likely decrease slightly but will remain above normal.
Sunshine
The last week was brighter than average for the southwest, west and north with sunshine amounts between 115% and 136% of average. However, sunshine amounts were closer to or below normal in the east and south with between 70% and 108% of average. It was brightest in the north with 78.8 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal. It was duller in the south with 46.6 hours of sunshine recorded at Cork Airport. The coming week will be more changeable so, while there will be some spells of sunshine, there will be more in the way of cloud cover. Sunshine amounts are likely to be near or just below average as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying will generally be moderate or poor on Tuesday due to rain and showers. There will be longer dry spells and moderate breezes on Wednesday and Thursday but cooler temperatures will hinder drying. As a result, drying conditions will be moderate. Further rain from Friday onwards will lead to poor drying.
Spraying
Breezy conditions alongside rain and showers will limit spraying opportunities this week. The best opportunity for spraying will be between showers on Thursday, when winds will ease.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for much of the country are currently between 20 and 55mm, with the driest soils in the east and southeast. Soils are slightly closer to saturation in the west, northwest and far southwest, with SMDs between 2 and 15mm. More frequent rain and showers in the week ahead will lead to a deterioration in soil conditions in the west, northwest and far southwest with soils becoming saturated and many poorly drained soils becoming waterlogged. SMDs will decrease slightly elsewhere but will remain much drier, with SMDs expected to be between 15 and 55mm.
Further Comments
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
