Forecast issued at: Friday 02nd January 2026 11:00
Rain
Many areas have been mostly dry the past week with trace accumulations of 0 to 1.6mm. Further north saw slightly higher accumulations with 4.4mm recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal. With high pressure remaining nearby its going to stay dry for most with the exception of Connacht and Ulster which will see scattered showers feeding down from the north, and turning wintry at times. From next week onwards conditions overall will become more unsettled with further outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Rainfall accumulations are expected to return to average or above for this time of year.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were generally below normal over the past week. Temperatures ranged from 2.9 degrees at Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan, which is -2.2 degrees below normal, to 5.9 degrees at both Malin Head, Co. Donegal and Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, which equates to -0.6 and -0.3 degrees below normal respectively.
The next few days will be even colder with widespread frost and ice overnight. Temperatures are expected to slowly recover towards the end of the week, with temperatures ranging from 0 to 6 degrees, mildest along coasts and colder further inland. This equates to 0 to -4 degrees below normal for this time of year. Mean soil temperatures over the past seven days ranged between 3.5 and 6.1 degrees and are expected to decrease over the coming week.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts varied through the country over the past week, but with many areas getting either close to or above normal amounts. The least amount of sunshine was recorded at Shannon Airport, Co. Limerick with 7.4 hours (69% of normal) recorded there. The highest amount of sunshine was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, with 13.4 hours or 116% of normal received there. There will be increasing amounts of sunshine in the coming days as a clear Arctic airmass becomes established over Ireland. Sunshine amounts are likely to be above normal, especially in the east and south of the country.
Drying Conditions
Scattered wintry showers are forecast over the coming days for Connacht and Ulster, with drier conditions elsewhere, but it will be cold with frosty nights , so drying conditions will remain fairly poor overall.
Spraying
There'll be good spraying opportunities over the coming days in parts of the south and east with mainly dry conditions and light to moderate winds expected. Spraying conditions will be limited in the north and north-west as as result of scattered wintry showers.
Field Conditions
Field conditions have improved in recent days with trafficability beginning to be possible in well and moderately drained soils. Poorly drained soils remain saturated or waterlogged. A slight deterioration is expected over the coming days with slightly more precipitation forecast, mainly in northern and northwestern parts.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
