Forecast issued at: Thursday 02nd May 2024 12:00
Rain
Rainfall this last week has been variable with drier than average to average rainfall across parts of the east, north and in eastern parts of Connacht. However, rainfall was above average in the southeast, southwest and some parts of the midlands. The driest conditions were recorded at Dublin Airport where just 7.8mm was recorded. It was wettest in the southeast with 46.2mm recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. It will remain unsettled over the coming days with showers or longer spells of rain on most days but there are growing indications for a spell of drier and more settled weather to develop next week. Overall rainfall totals are expected to range from around 10-15mm over the next 7 days, locally higher in any heavy showers tonight (Thursday night) and tomorrow (Friday).
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures this past week have been 1 to 2 degrees Celsius below average across the country. Mean air temperatures ranged from 7.4 degrees Celsius in the east to 9.2 degrees Celsius in the southwest. Mean soil temperatures have however generally been 1 to 2 degrees above average, but in parts of the southeast mean soil temperatures were around average. Mean soil temperatures are ranging between 9.8 degrees and 11.9 degrees at the moment. After rather cool conditions in the south today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday), temperatures will increase. Some pleasant warm sunshine is expected across northern areas with the prospect of some further warmth next week. Mean air temperatures are forecast to around 1 to 2 degrees above the climatological average.
Sunshine
It has been sunnier than average over the last seven days in parts of the west, northwest and north, with sunshine amounts between 109% and 122% of average. It was sunniest in the north with 40.7 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal. The dullest conditions were recorded in the southeast with 25.6 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle. Sunshine totals over the next 7 days will likely trend above average generally with pleasant sunny weather expected at times next week.
Drying Conditions
Showers or rain over the coming days will lead to poor drying conditions overall. Very poor conditions today over the southern half of the country with rain heavy at times. The best opportunities for drying over the next 7 days will be early next week.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will be limited over the coming days with more frequent rainfall and breezy conditions. There may be opportunities for spraying away from the showers from Sunday onwards.
Field Conditions
Currently all well drained soils and most moderately drained soils have good trafficability of light and medium soils. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) vary for poorly drained soils from -10 to +10mm, with the best of the SMDs in parts of the east and south midlands. With increased rainfall in the coming seven days, soil conditions will deteriorate. However, there are growing signs for a return to settled and drier weather conditions next week, so the deterioration in ground conditions is likely to be temporary.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. For any early sown crops: From Saturday afternoon 4th May until Monday 6th May, weather conditions conductive to the spread of potato blight will affect regions of the midlands, north, northeast and east. Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
