Latest Farming Commentary

Forecast issued at: Thursday 07th August 2025 12:00

Rain

The past week was drier than normal across much of the country apart from parts of the west, northwest, and southwest where near average rainfall was observed. Most stations over the last week recorded rainfall totals generally between 60% and 80% of the average. It was even drier though in parts of the south and east with just 4.1mm recorded in Dublin Airport (27% of its average). The wettest station was Belmullet, Co. Mayo which recorded 23.6mm. The weather over the coming week will be mixed but generally more settled with just light rain or showers at times mixed with long dry intervals also. Rainfall amounts will remain below average nationwide with only 50% of rainfall expected for much of the country.

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures over the past week were close to average for this time of year, ranging from 14.3 degrees at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo to 16.6 degrees at Roches Point, Co. Cork. This equates to between 0.5 below normal and 1.1 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures are also above normal, ranging from 15.9 degrees in the north to 19.5 degrees in the south, which is between 1 and 3.6 degrees above average. Over the coming week, mean air temperatures will generally range between 15 and 17 degrees which is around or marginally above normal. Mean soil temperatures will continue above normal.

Sunshine

It has been quite dull over the past seven days with below average sunshine recorded in most stations. It was dullest in the northwest with just 13.7 hours of sunshine recorded at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo (48% of average). It was brighter in the south with 40 hours of sunshine recorded at Cork Airport (108% of average). The weather will be mixed over the next week, but there will be more frequent sunny spells. Sunshine amounts will be closer to average as a result.

Drying Conditions

Moderate or good drying conditions can be expected through much of the rest of the working week between showers.

Spraying

There will be some spraying opportunities through the week with long dry spells, along with winds holding moderate or below.

Field Conditions

Currently, most soils have soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of 5 to 55mm generally, but well drained or moderately drained soils in parts of the west and northeast are close to saturation while poorly drained soils in those areas are either saturated or waterlogged. With further mixed conditions forecast over the coming week there will be long dry periods and so SMDs will increase to between 30 and 60mm generally, however, some soils in the west and northeast will continue to be close to being saturated.

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.