Forecast issued at: Friday 18th September 2026 13:30
Rain
Rainfall amounts were generally above normal over the past seven days. The highest accumulation of 33.4mm was recorded at Claremorris, Co. Mayo. The driest part of the country was the northeast, with only 7.6mm recorded at Dublin Airport, which is 54% of the norm. Over the next seven days, there will be a contrast between the northwest and southeast. Above normal amounts of rainfall are expected in the west and north (around 25 to 55mm), but amounts are forecast to be near or below average in the south and east (around 10 to 25mm).
Temperatures
Air temperatures were above normal almost nationwide over the past week, with mean values ranging between 13.6 and 16.4 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the east and northeast were nearly 3 degrees higher than normal. Soil temperatures are several degrees higher than normal, ranging between 14.7 and 17.4 degrees Celsius. Temperatures will fluctuate this week due to changeable conditions, but overall they are expected to be near or slightly higher than normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past seven days were generally near or below normal for the time of year. The sunniest location was Shannon Airport, where there were 32.8 hours of sunshine (119% of average). It was dullest at Valentia, Co. Kerry, where there were only 13.5 sunshine hours (50% of average). With mixed and sometimes unsettled conditions over the coming week, sunshine amounts are likely to remain near or below average.
Drying Conditions
While it will be breezy and mild at times over the next seven days, there will also be spells of rain and showers, so drying conditions will generally be moderate to poor.
Spraying
There will some opportunities for spraying tomorrow, Saturday, in southern areas as it will be dry with light to moderate winds, but further north it will be breezy with some showers. There will be better opportunities for spraying on Sunday and Monday with largely dry conditions and lighter winds.
Field Conditions
Poorly drained soils across the west, northwest and the far southwest are saturated or waterlogged and moderately drained soils here are saturated or close to saturation. Otherwise soil moisture deficits (SMDs) range between 0 and 40mm, with driest soils in the east and northeast. SMDs are forecast to decrease everywhere during the next week and moderately or poorly drained soils in the southwest, west, midlands and northwest will become saturated or waterlogged.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur on Friday 18th September into Saturday 19th September.
