Forecast issued at: Friday 01st May 2026 12:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts for the last seven days were well below average for most area with rainfall amounts generally ranging between 0mm and 12.5mm (0% to 73% of average). However, southern areas were wetter with rainfall amounts of 15mm to 27.3mm (101% to 196% of average). This was largely due to rainfall that occurred on Thursday. Conditions will turn more mixed over the coming seven days with spells of rain and heavy showers at times. Rainfall amounts will increase as a result, though will remain below average on some western and northwestern fringes. Accumulations will generally be between normal and 1.5 times normal, though will be lower than average in those western and northwestern areas.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week have been above average across the country, ranging from 10.1 degrees in the east to 12.8 degrees in the west which is between 0.8 and 3.3 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures are well above normal, between 10.4 and 13.8 degrees. This is 2.7 to 4 degrees above normal. It will turn cooler over the coming week with temperatures falling to 1 or 2 degrees above average. Soil temperatures will remain above normal.
Sunshine
It was brighter than average across the country over the past week. Sunshine amounts ranged from 47.8 hours in the south to 66.8 hours in the north, which is 121% to 172% of average. It will be duller over the coming week with more unsettled conditions developing. Sunshine amounts will be below normal as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will deteriorate over the coming days with more frequent rainfall, cooler temperatures and often slack winds. There will be a slight improvement in drying conditions from Tuesday onwards as rainfall becomes lighter.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will be limited this weekend due to widespread heavy showers. Rainfall amounts will be minimal early next week with generally light winds so there will be some opportunities for spraying then.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for all soils generally range between 10 and 38mm, driest near east and southwest coasts. However, soils are closer to saturation near southern coasts with SMDs of 2 or 3mm, and poorly drained soils saturated in this areas. There will be little change in soil conditions over the coming week, with with just a slight decrease in SMDs for most areas.
