Forecast issued at: Thursday 29th January 2026 13:00
Rain
Over the past week, rainfall amounts have been above normal nationwide. The least amount of rainfall was recorded in the north-west of the country, with Belmullet in Co. Mayo recording 32.4mm or 113% of the weekly norm. It was extremely wet in the east and south-east, the wettest synoptic station was Johnstown Castle (Co. Wexford) with 79.6mm recorded or 361% of the weekly norm. Conditions will remain largely unsettled over the next seven days, with higher than averages remaining for parts of the east and southeast. Further west, rainfall amounts will likely be average or slightly below, ranging between 5 to 15 mm in the west and north.
Temperatures
Temperatures over the past week were generally around average for late January, ranging from 5.0 degrees at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo to 7.1 degrees at Malin Head, Co. Donegal. This is between -0.1 degree below normal and 1.5 degrees above. Mean soil temperatures are generally close to or slightly above average, ranging from 5 to 6.5 degrees, which is between 0.2 degrees above normal to 2.2 degrees above. Temperatures will be around average ranging between 5 to 9 degrees over the next seven days.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were generally below average with the exception of the southwest and west coast. It was brightest at Bellmullet, in Co. Mayo with 14.6 hours of sunshine recorded there (123% of average). It was dullest in the south-east with just 4.7 hours (34% of average) at Johnstown Castle in Co. Wexford.
The coming week will see occasional sunny spells at times, so sunshine amounts will likely be close to average or above.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally poor over the coming week with frequent spells of rain.
Spraying
Opportunities for spraying will be very limited over the coming days due to the unsettled weather pattern.
Field Conditions
All poorly drained soils and moderately drained soils are waterlogged, while all other soils are saturated. With unsettled conditions over the coming week, there will be little to no improvement to soil conditions, though some moderately drained soils could see an improvement in soil moisture deficits in the west.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
