Forecast issued at: Saturday 16th May 2026 13:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amount have below average across the country with 60% or less of normal amounts recorded for most. However, parts of the north and west recorded between 60 and 85%. Claremorris, Co. Mayo recorded the most with 14.6mm which Roche's Point, Co. Cork recorded the least with just 0.8mm. More unsettled conditions are expected during the week ahead with 20 to 50mm (150 to 300% the average) generally expected, lowest in the southeast and highest in the west.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were below average across the country during the past week, ranging between 0.4 to 1.6 degrees below average. The lowest such temperature was recorded at Claremorris, Co. Mayo with 8.9 degrees. The highest temperature of 10.8 degrees, recorded at Roches Point, Co. Cork. In contrast, mean soil temperatures were above average during the past week by up to 3.0 degrees, ranging from 10.0 degrees to 14.0 degrees. Mean air temperatures are expected to be within a degree plus or minus of average for the coming week, which equates to an average range of 11 to 12 degrees across the country.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were close to or above average for the past week. Belmullet, Co. Mayo recorded the least with 39.8 sunshine hours (94% of its average) while Malin Head, Co. Donegal recorded 66.3 hours (157% of its average). With more unsettled conditions for the coming week, sunshine amounts will generally be below normal.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be limited due to rain and showers at times. There are indications of some better opportunities developing towards the end of the coming working week, especially in the east and southeast.
Spraying
Similarly, spraying conditions will be limited for the coming days due to rain and showers. Some better opportunities may develop later next week.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for all soil types range from around 20mm to 55mm, highest in the east, with some restriction to growth. With above average rainfall expected over the coming week, SMDs will decrease countrywide, ranging between 25mm and 40mm in parts of the east and southeast, but between 0 and 25mm elsewhere with soils in parts of the north midlands, north-west and south-west becoming saturated or waterlogged.
