Latest Farming Commentary

Forecast issued at: Sunday 06th July 2025 12:00

Rain

Rainfall amounts have varied substantially across the country over the past seven days. It was wettest across parts of Connacht and north Ulster with 30 to 49mm recorded, which equates to between 170 and 280% of the average. It was drier elsewhere, indeed it was generally much drier than normal in much of Munster and Leinster. It was driest in the south and east, with only between 1 and 12mm recorded, which is 80% or less of the average, while rainfall totals were around average or a little above in western parts of Munster ranging from 15 to 25 mm. This coming week is going to be largely dry and settled, with just a few light showers or drizzle around, mainly early in the week in the north and west There is some uncertainty as we move into next weekend, with weather fronts trying to encroach from the Atlantic, but with high pressure trying to hold on. So for the coming week, up until next weekend at least, there'll be little if any rainfall, with figures ranging from 0mm in parts of the south and east to 5mm in the west, or between 0% and 29% of average.

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures for the past week were generally close to or above normal with between 13.5 degrees at Knock/Ireland West airport to 16.5 degrees at Oak Park, Co. Carlow recorded. This is between -0.3 degrees below normal to 1.3 degrees above. Mean soil temperatures were above average throughout the country by between 1 and 3 degrees, with temperatures of between 15.8 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 19 degrees C. Mean soil temperatures will continue above normal.

Sunshine

Sunshine amounts were generally close to normal, ranging generally between 80% and 108% of normal, with 26.4 hours of sunshine recorded in Belmullet and 42.1 hours recorded at Cork airport. However, Knock/Ireland West airport was an outlier, as it only recorded 11.9 hours of sunshine, which equates to only 38% of average. Over the coming week, sunshine amounts will generally come in above average, likely highest in the south and east.

Drying Conditions

Drying conditions will generally be good for much of the coming week, though will decrease moderate to poor temporarily, mainly in the west on Tuesday.

Spraying

There'll be good opportunities for spraying this coming week. It'll still be a bit breezy on Sunday and Monday, but with lighter winds generally from Tuesday.

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 SMDs currently ranging between 15 and 60mm for all soil types, highest in the south, with some restriction to growth. Over the next week, SMDs will increase widely by around 10mm, though more substantially in the northwest, west and far southwest. There's uncertainty though in the forecast though for next weekend, so figures could reduce a little again if weather fronts manage to move in from the Atlantic.

Further Comments

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.