Forecast issued at: Saturday 20th December 2025 16:00
Rain
Over the past week, rainfall amounts over Ireland have varied significantly throughout the country. Amounts were above normal in the southeast, south and west with 40 to 60mm generally (120 to 220% of the average). Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford recorded the most with 75.5mm which is 305% of its average. Elsewhere, amounts generally ranged between 10 and 25mm
(80 to 115% of average). Dublin Airport recorded the least with 9.7mm or 59% of average. Generally mixed and unsettled conditions are expected to continue through the this weekend and into early next week before drier and more settled conditions develop as we head towards Christmas. Overall, rainfall amounts will likely be lower than average for this time of year, ranging between 1 and 15mm for most. This equates to between 3 and 50% of normal.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures were above average, ranging from 6.3 degrees at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo to 8.9 degrees in Belmullet, Co. Mayo. This equates to between 1 and 2.2 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures have also been above normal, ranging from 5.9 to 8.6 degrees (1.2 to 2.7 degrees above average). Mean air temperatures are expected to continue above normal today before falling back closer to or below normal through next week. Overall, mean air temperatures are expected to range between 3 and 7 degrees in parts of the midlands, west and south-west which is between 0 and minus 4 degrees below average. In the north and east, however, mean air temperatures are expected to range from 5 to 8 degrees, which is between 0 and 2 degrees above average for the time of year.
Mean soil temperatures will likely decrease in response to the cooler air temperatures in the west and southwest.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts for most areas over the past week were generally above average with the exception of the west Connacht coast. Sunshine hours ranged between 11.4
to 16 hours for most (110 to 160% of normal) with Cork Airport recording the most, with 16 hours. Belmullet, Co. Mayo recorded the least amount of sunshine this week, with just 5.3 hours which is 61% of its average. While there will be good sunny spells at times, generally mixed and unsettled conditions are expected until around midweek next week before more settled, and hopefully sunnier, conditions develop. Sunshine amounts will likely decline to around
normal over the coming 7 days.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be poor over the coming week due to either spells of rain and showers or cold daytime temperatures.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will be limited this weekend and early next week due to generally mixed and unsettled conditions. There are indications of better opportunities developing from midweek next week.
Field Conditions
Currently, all well and most moderately drained soils are saturated while some moderately and all poor drained soils are waterlogged. There will be further spells of rain and showers for the coming days, but with indications for drier and more settled weather later next week, conditions will likely improve somewhat. All soils will likely remain saturated with a recovery possible in some waterlogged soils.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
