Forecast issued at: Thursday 12th February 2026 12:00
Rain
Over the past week, rainfall amounts were above average in the east and south with accumulations between 120 and 380% of average. Rainfall elsewhere was close to or below average with accumulations between 50 and 100% of average. It was wettest in the south with 48.3mm recorded at Cork Airport. It was drier in the midlands and west with 8.5mm recorded at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary. It will be unsettled over the coming week with frequent rain and showers, though there will be a spell of drier weather tomorrow (Friday) and early Saturday. Across the coming seven days, rainfall amounts will be above average for most with 1 to 2 times the normal amounts expected.
Temperatures
Over the past seven days, mean air temperatures were mostly above normal by 1 to 2.5 degrees, ranging from 5.9 to 9.4 degrees. It was closer to normal at Malin Head, Co. Donegal which was just 0.4 degrees milder than average. Mean soil temperatures are above normal across the country, ranging between 5.6 and 8.5 degrees, which is 1.3 to 3.4 degrees above normal. It will be colder in the week ahead, particularly from late today (Thursday) until Sunday. Mean air temperatures will decrease with most places expected to be 1 or 2 degrees below normal. Soil temperatures will also decrease but will remain above normal.
Sunshine
Over the past week, it has been much duller than average nationwide with sunshine amounts generally between 10 and 50% of the average. Sunshine amounts were closer to average in the southwest, with 11.7 hours of sunshine recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry which is 83% of its average. Belmullet, Co. Mayo recorded the least with just 1.7 hours over the past week. Brighter conditions will develop tomorrow (Friday) and for early Saturday. From Sunday onwards there will be a mix of cloud and sunnier spells. Sunsine amounts will be closer to average as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be poor over the coming days. Rain and showers at first will give way to drier, brighter conditions today (Friday) and early Saturday. However, this drier weather will be accompanied by colder temperatures with drying conditions remaining poor. Further rain and showers are then expected from Sunday onwards.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying tomorrow (Friday) and early Saturday with drier conditions and light winds. Showers and rain from Sunday onwards will limit spraying opportunities.
Field Conditions
All poorly drained soils and some moderately drained soils are waterlogged, while all other soils are saturated. Over the coming week, there will be little to no improvement to soil conditions and more moderately drained soils will become waterlogged at times.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
