Forecast issued at: Thursday 25th June 2026 15:00
Rain
Rainfall totals over the last week were above normal across the bulk of the country, but it was drier than normal in parts of the north. The wettest location was Mullingar in County Westmeath which recorded 42.1mm of rainfall, 248% of the weekly norm. Malin Head in County Donegal was the driest location with just 10.5mm of rainfall recorded, 62% of the June weekly norm.Over the next seven days, temperatures will be above average across most of the country, with parts of the north and west receiving 2 to 3 times the average amount. Further east conditions will be closer to average or slightly above.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures have been above normal nationwide during the past seven days. It was warmest in the east, with 18.1 degrees in Oak Park, Co. Carlow (3.6 degrees above normal). It was coolest to the west and north, with 14.1 degrees recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (0.5 degrees above normal).As an Atlantic regime returns, our weather pattern is going to noticeably turn cooler with temperatures returning closer to average. Most areas will see temperatures ranging between 14 and 17 degrees, which equates to 1 to 2 degrees above normal.
Sunshine
It was sunnier than normal across the country during the last week. Cork Airport was the sunniest location with 68.8 hours of sunshine recorded (171% of the norm). The least sunny location as compared to the climatological norm was Bellmullet, Co Mayo, where 47.6 hours of sunshine was recorded (136% of the norm).While today and tomorrow will remain quite sunny, from Saturday onwards conditions will change with more in the way of sunshine and showers forecast. Sunshine may slightly dip over the next 7 days as a result.
Drying Conditions
There will be very good drying across most of the country over the next few days with high temperatures and light to moderate breezes. However, some Atlantic coastal fringes may be cloudier. To the north and northwest, conditions will deteriorate as heavy showers track with the potential for severe thunderstorm activity on Thursday afternoon and night. Weather conditions will turn more generally unsettled from the weekend.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will become more limited from Thursday onwards as showers or longer spells of rain start to move in from the Atlantic. The best opportunity will be today, with the exception of the northwest which will experience showers at times. Hot temperatures over the next few days will mean that it will be important to only spray early in the morning, or late in the evening when temperatures drop below product thresholds.
Field Conditions
Field conditions will be good in most areas this week with soils trafficable in most locations. Soil moisture deficits will range from 10 to 20 mm in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. They'll range form 20 to 40 mm in Leinster and east Munster.
Further Comments
A Condition Orange High Fire Risk notice has been issued.Arising from current weather patterns and high temperatures a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. Current conditions are forecast to largely remain in place throughout the span of this notice with further increase in temperatures possible. Elevated fire risks are expected in all areas during this period. Expected fire behaviour, rate of spread and difficulty of suppression should be reduced due to high levels of live vegetation available but may be affected by higher windspeeds during Thursday June 26th.
