Forecast issued at: Sunday 19th April 2026 12:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts were above average for most of the country, with 120 to 300% of the normal amounts recorded. However, some eastern facing areas were drier than normal with Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin recording just 5.1mm which is 42% of its average. Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry recorded the most with 66.5mm. With high pressure dominating for much of the coming week, largely dry conditions are expected with just some showers at times. Most areas will likely see 3mm or less in total which is generally less than 20% of the average. The far south-west may see a little bit more.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were close to or above normal for the time of year, ranging from 8 degrees at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo to 9.8 degrees at Roche's Point, Co. Cork. The east had the greatest deviation from normal with Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin recording 1.5 degrees above it's average. Mean soil temperatures ranged between 8.1 and 10.7 degrees which is between 1.4 and 3.1 degrees above normal. An easterly airflow will likely be dominate for much of the coming week resulting in near average temperatures in the east and north-east, up to 2 degrees above normal in the southwest. Mean soil temperatures will continue above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts during the past week were generally close to or above normal. Amounts ranged from 23.2 hours at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary to 46.7 hours at Casement Aerdrome, Co. Dublin. There will be good sunny spells most days over the coming week so sunshine amounts will likely be above normal.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be moderate or good away from any showers over the coming week. Midweek next week is likely to see the best opportunities as winds will be a bit fresher.
Spraying
Spraying conditions will be often be good away from any showers though fresher winds midweek may limit some spraying.
Field Conditions
Most well drained and moderately drained soils are saturated or near saturated away from eastern areas where soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are up to 15mm. Most poorly drained soils are saturated or waterlogged but with SMDs of 11 or 12mm in the east. With predominately dry conditions over the coming week, SMDs will increase across all areas and soil types with trafficability improving but with some restriction to growth in well drained soils. SMDs in well and moderately drained soils will likely range between 10 and 30mm, highest in the east, while in poorly drained soils they will likely range between 2 and 15mm generally but up to 26 or 27mm in the east.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
