Forecast issued at: Wednesday 30th September 2026 14:00
Rain
Rainfall has been above average in parts of the eastern and southern half of the country during the past seven days, ranging between 42% and 290% of average while generally drier or near average elsewhere, ranging between 52% and 148%. The wettest conditions were in the southeast with 52.3mm recorded at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. The coming week will be drier overall with rainfall amounts expected to be well below average across the country, ranging from 42% to 144% of normal, with the driest conditions in the east and southeast.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were above normal over the past seven days, ranging from 12.6, recorded in Claremorris, Co. Mayo and 14.8 degrees recorded in Shannon Airport, Co. Clare. Temperatures were generally between 1 and 2 degrees above average. Soil temperatures are significantly higher than normal and range between 13.7 and 16.3 degrees, recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal and Shannon Airport, Co. Clare repectively, which is 2 to 4 degrees above normal. Mean temperatures will increase a little this coming week between 1 and 3 degrees above normal. Soil temperatures will remain well above average.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were generally near or above normal during the past seven days, raging between 110% and 145% of average. It was brightest at Belmullet with just over 36 hours of sunshine (145% of average). It was dullest at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry with 26.2 hours of sunshine recorded (108% of average). The weather will be more unsettled this week so sunshine amounts are likely to be below average.
Drying Conditions
There will be moderate to poor drying conditions over the coming days due to spells of rain and showers.
Spraying
With rather unsettled weather this week, opportunities for spraying will be quite limited due to spells of rain, showers and often breezy or windy conditions.
Field Conditions
Soils are saturated or close to saturation while moderately and poorly drained soils across the northwest, midlands, south and southeast are waterlogged. However, SMDs on eastern fringes are higher, ranging between 7mm and 13mm. With unsettled conditions this week, SMDs are forecast to decrease in poorly drained soils with much of the country away from eastern fringes becoming waterlogged. Well and moderately drained soils across the country will become saturated or near saturated.
