Latest Farming Commentary

Forecast issued at: Wednesday 09th July 2025 16:00

Rain

Over the past week, rainfall amounts were below average for most of Ireland and above average in the northwest. Between 0 and 9 mm of rainfall (5 to 50 % of average) fell over Leinster, and much of Munster and Ulster. Amounts of between 15 and 20 mm (50 to 90% of average) were recorded over west Munster, Connacht and north Ulster. For northwestern coastal regions, between 23 and 25 mm of rain were recorded (130 to 140% of average) From today until Saturday, the weather over Ireland will be largely dry with little or no rainfall. For Sunday and the early days of next week, there will be rain or showers at times. Rainfall amounts will be variable an will range from 15 to 50 mm (70 to 200% of average).

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures for the past week were generally close to normal with between 13.8 degrees at Knock/Ireland West airport to 16.8 degrees at Roches Point, Co. Cork. The range was between -0.7 degrees below normal to 1.8 degrees above. Mean soil temperatures were above average throughout the country by between 0.6 and 3.2 degrees, with temperatures of between 15.0 and 19.2 degrees recorded. Over the coming week, mean air temperatures are expected to be between 1 and 3 degrees above normal, ranging from 16 to 20 degrees C. Mean soil temperatures will continue above normal.

Sunshine

Sunshine amounts were varied over the last week, generally between 44% and 146% of normal. The lowest amount was 14.4 hours of sunshine recorded at Belmullet. The highest amount was 59.4 hours of sunshine recorded at Cork airport. Between now and Sunday, sunshine amounts will be above average in most areas, but possibly below average near west and northwest coasts. From Monday onwards, sunshine amounts are likely to be below average in many areas.

Drying Conditions

Drying conditions will be good or very good up to Sunday, but will deteriorate somewhat next week.

Spraying

There'll be good opportunities for spraying up until Sunday.

Field Conditions

Moderately and well drained soils in the north, west and far southwest are close to saturation, with poorly drained soils there waterlogged. Elsewhere, soils are drier, with Soil Moisture Deficits (SMDs) currently ranging between 20 and 60 mm for all soil types, highest in the south, with some restriction to growth. Between now and Sunday, SMDs will increase widely by around 10 to 15mm, though more substantially in the northwest, west and far southwest.

Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.

Agricultural Data Graphs

Soil Moisture Deficits

Soil Moisture Deficits (SMDs) in (mm) are calculated for three classes of soil: well drained, moderately drained and poorly drained. For further information on how Soil Moisture Deficits are calculated, click here.