Forecast issued at: Wednesday 19th August 2026 13:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts have generally been below average, significantly so in many areas, during the past seven days. Just 0.5mm of rain, or 3% of average rainfall, was recorded at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. The exception was at Malin Head, Co. Donegal where 33.6mm of rain, or 147% of average rainfall, was recorded. With plenty of showers or more persistent spells of rain forecast, most areas are expected to record close to or above average rainfall amounts over the coming week, while parts of the west may see slightly below average amounts.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were above average across the country over the past week by between 1.2 and 3.6 degrees, ranging from 16.2 degrees at Belmullet, Co. Mayo, and 19.3 degrees at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. It was warmest in the southeast and coolest in the west and northwest. Mean soil temperatures were also above average by between 2 and 5.9 degrees, the warmest of these in the south and east. With fresher conditions forecast for the coming week, along with a switch to a northerly airflow on Thursday, cooler conditions are expected with temperatures reverting to average or a degree or two below, ranging from 13 to 16 degrees.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were below average across the country over the last seven days, with the exception of the southeast with Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, seeing slightly above average (111%) with 41.8 hours of sunshine recorded. Elsewhere, between 25% and 87% of average sunshine hours were seen with Belmullet, Co. Mayo, recording the least at 7.7 hours. Mixed conditions are forecast for the coming week with variable amounts of cloud and sunshine, with close to average amounts of sunshine forecast.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate or poor over the coming days with frequent showers. Towards the weekend showers will become more isolated, leading to improved drying opportunities.
Spraying
With showers and breezy conditions forecast for the coming days, opportunities for spraying will be limited. Opportunities will improve over the weekend as showers and winds ease.
Field Conditions
Away from the northwest, most soils are experiencing restrictions to growth with soil moisute deficits (SMDs) generally above 30mm, while soils in the south and east are experiencing near drought or drought conditions with SMDs above 75mm. In contrast, soils in the northwest are saturated with SMDs between 0 and -10mm. While showers and rain are forecast for the coming week, any reductions in SMDs will generally be slight with restrictions to growth continuing and near drought or drought conditions persisting in parts of the south and east.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will continue until Thursday morning (20th August) in western and northern areas.
