Forecast issued at: Friday 05th May 2023 19:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts were generally below average over most of the country. Totals were less than 10mm in many parts of the south midlands, which is around 40 % the norm for the time of year. It was wetter across the north-eastern half of the country where rainfall amounts of around 15 to 20mm broadly fell, this is a little above average for the time of year. The coming week will be wet overall with up to 60mm expected near northwest Atlantic coasts which is 2.5 to 3.5 times the average for early May. Amounts will be lower elsewhere, varying 15 to 35mm or around 1 to 2 times the average, it'll be drier along the south coast.
Temperatures
Temperatures were near normal for the time of year in the north but in most other parts, temperatures were above average by 2 or 3 degrees, ranging from 11 degrees in the north to 13.5 degrees in the southwest. Mean soil temperatures remain 3 or 4 degrees above average, generally, ranging 12 to 14 degrees. Mean air temperatures over the coming seven days will likely be near average or slightly above, at 11 or 12 degrees.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were well below average in all areas last week. Most parts recorded only about half their typical sunshine amounts for the time of year with around 25 hours over the whole week in the east and around 15 in the northwest. Casement Aerodrome in Co. Dublin recorded the most sunshine with 24.6 hours which equates to 63% of the norm. There will be sunny spells over the coming days. Generally sunshine amounts will likely trend below average for the time of year.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate during Friday afternoon between showers. Generally moderate or poor drying over the weekend due to showers and spells of rain.
Spraying
There'll be limited spraying opportunities between showers on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th of May.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) currently range 6 to 31mm with driest soils in the southwest. Soils are wettest in the north midlands and northwest with poorly drained soils here saturated or waterlogged. Over the next week, soil conditions will deteriorate with most soils becoming saturated, with the exception of the southeast. Many poorly drained soils will become waterlogged, away from the southeast.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect for any early sown crops until Monday 8th May. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will affect many coastal regions, mostly of the south and east, and with a marginal risk in parts of the midlands and the midwest. There'll be limited opportunities for spraying in the morning hours of Saturday 6th of May. Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
