Forecast issued at: Monday 28th April 2025 10:00
Rain
Very settled weather to come this week, in contrast, of course, to the last seven days which were much wetter than normal. Rainfall amounts were between 2 and 3 times the average generally, with west Connacht and west Munster being the wettest regions. Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry, recorded the most with 50.2mm (227% of normal), followed closely by Erris Head, Co. Mayo, (49.9mm/302%). Northern areas fared drier though with closer to normal rainfall totals. Malin Head, Co. Donegal, recorded 16.1mm. The coming week will be significantly different with most of the country expected to be completely dry. In the short-term, some lingering rain will affect the Northwest with perhaps a few showers here and there over the coming days, but they will be more miss than hit with projections for bone dry weather across the vast majority of the country as High Pressure takes centre stage. Wednesday, however, could bring some thundery showers. Wednesday could also bring some high tempertures so whether these thunderstorms are triggered will all be temperature dependent.
Temperatures
The next seven days will be very mild or even warm with mean air temperatures (day and night inclusive) of 12 or 13 degrees expected widely, equating to 2 degrees above normal. Temperature will most likely peak on Wednesday. There is the potential for record-breaking values on this day. Values will likely slip back a little after that. However, values will still be warm further south. Mean soil temperatures will increase further with values ranging 2 to 4 degrees above usual, coincidentally also 12 or 13 degrees around the country of Ireland. Even though the past week was a wet one, it was also much milder than usual with mean air temperature 2 to 3 degrees above usual.
Sunshine
It has been duller than normal across much of the country over the last week, generally ranging between 22.1 and 39.7 hours (59 and 104% of the average) with Cork Airport, recording the least and Malin Head recording the most. The coming week will bring more plentiful sunshine with pleasant hazy sunshine on many of the upcoming days.
Drying Conditions
There will be good opportunities for spraying over the coming week with lots of dry and warm weather with good sunshine, despite mostly light winds and heavy thundery showers on Wednesday.
Spraying
Similarly, spraying opportunities will be good for most for the coming week.
Field Conditions
Most well drained and moderately drained soils are close to saturation with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of just up to 3mm. All poorly drained soils are at least saturated and some in the west and southwest are waterlogged. With mostly warm and dry conditions over the coming week, SMDs will increase.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
