Forecast issued at: Monday 21st October 2024 13:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, most areas have been average or wetter than average with the exception of parts of the north and east where rainfall amounts were between 13 and 19mm. This is between 55% and 75% of average. Elsewhere, rainfall amounts were between 25 and 55mm, which is 82% to 167% of average. There will be some drier weather in the coming days with a mix of sunny spells and showers but it currently looks like it will become more unsettled from Thursday with heavy rain forecast. Overall, rainfall amounts this coming week will likely be higher than average with 1 to 2.5 times the average rainfall. The highest accumulations will be in parts of the west with around 65mm possible, which is 140% of average.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were 1 to 2 degrees above average, ranging from 10.3 to 13.2 degrees. Mean soil temperatures were slightly above average, ranging from 10.2 to 12.7 degrees. The coming week will be slightly milder with mean air temperatures close to average, ranging between 11 and 12 degrees generally. Mean soil temperatures will likely remain just above average.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts during the past week were below average in the south and southeast and average or above average sunshine elsewhere. It was brightest in the northwest with 29.4 hours of sunshine recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo (151% of average). It was much duller in the southeast with just 11.3 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford (60% of average). The coming week will see a mix of sunny spells and showers with more unsettled conditions developing on Thursday. Sunshine amounts are likely to be close to average or slightly below normal in the week ahead as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate between showers between today, tomorrow and Wednesday before becoming poor from midweek as conditions turn more unsettled.
Spraying
There will be no significant spraying opportunities today with blustery conditions and rain or showers. Lighter winds and often drier conditions tomorrow and Wednesday may present some opportunities for spraying.
Field Conditions
All soils are currently saturated and most poorly drained soils are waterlogged, apart from in the east. With a mix of sunny spells and showers or longer spells of rain expected in the coming week, well drained soils will remain saturated with moderate and poorly drained soils becoming largely waterlogged. Trafficability will remain poor.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
