Forecast issued at: Wednesday 07th January 2026 15:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts have been generally below normal nationwide. Amounts were up around 50 to 95% of average in the north, west and south-west, while many parts of the midlands, mid-west and east received less than 20% of average amounts. Malin Head, Co. Donegal received the highest accumulation, where 29 mm was recorded and Dublin Airport received the least, with 0.8mm. Conditions will be more mixed for the week head. Overall, rainfall amounts will be variable but they will be either closer to normal or above normal with 20 to 50mm expected overall, which is between 80 and 200% of normal, depending on location
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were also well below average nationwide over the past week, ranging from 0.9 degrees at Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan to 5.3
degrees at Bellmullet, Co. Mayo. This equates to between 1.2 and 4.2 degrees below average for the time of year. Mean soil temperatures have been close to or below normal, ranging from 1.7 to 5.1 degrees. Over the coming week, mean air temperatures will likely be around normal for Atlantic coastal areas, with mean air values of between 6 and 9 degrees Celsius. However, it'll be colder than normal elsewhere, with mean air temperatures expected to be around 1 degree below normal, with values ranging from 3 to 5 degrees Celsius expected. Mean soil temperatures will remain similar or may decrease a little further in a few locations.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were above normal countrywide over the past week. Northern and western parts recorded closer to average values with Malin Head recording 10.4 hours (111% of its average). However most other areas received around twice the average amount of sunshine. Indeed Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, received 31.5 hours of sunshine, equating to 266% of average. Mixed conditions over the week ahead will likely lead to near or below normal sunshine amounts.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be poor for the coming week with more unsettled weather and it'll be cold too, especially further to the east.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will be limited for the week ahead due to mixed and more unsettled conditions.
Field Conditions
Most well and moderately drained soils have soil moisture deficits ranging from 0mm in the north-west to 7mm in the east. Some moderately drained soils in the northwest and south-west are a little wetter. Poorly drained soils are generally saturated, but are closer to being waterlogged in the west, south-west and northwest. There'll be a steady deterioration in soil conditions over the coming week, with poorly and moderately drained soils becoming saturated or waterlogged, and with many well drained soils becoming saturated too.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
