Forecast issued at: Thursday 16th April 2026 12:00
Rain
Aside from parts of the east and northeast where slightly below average rainfall amounts were recorded, rainfall amounts were significantly above average across the country, by up to 3 or 4 times in places, during the past 7 days. The most rainfall during the past 7 days was recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry where there was 92mm or 398% of average. In contrast, just 9.3mm or 77% of average was recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin. With high pressure forecast to build over the weekend, bringing with it drier and more settled conditions, rainfall amounts for the coming week are expected to be below average across the country, ranging from 5mm to 20mm.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures during the past week ranged from a degree below average to average. The lowest such temperature was 7 degrees (1 degree below average) recorded at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The highest such temperate was 8.6 degrees (0.7 degrees below average) recorded at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare. Mean air temperatures for the coming week are forecast to be 8 or 9 degrees which is within a degree either side of average for the time of year. Soil temperatures during the past week were up to 2 degrees above average, ranging from 7.1 and 10.2 degrees and are expected to remain average or above for the coming week.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts during the past week ranged from 71% of average to 120% of average. The least sunshine was recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry where 24.6 hours (or 71% of average) were recorded. In contrast, 40.8 hours (or 120% of average) were recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin. With high pressure expected to bring settled conditions for the weekend and into next week, sunshine amounts would be expected to be average or above with a mix of cloud and sunny spells forecast.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be limited at first with rain, drizzle, and showers forecast for Thursday and Friday. However, as high pressure builds over the weekend and into early next week conditions should improve. However, light winds might mean drying conditions are moderate at best.
Spraying
Spraying conditions will be limited at first with rain and showers forecast for Thursday and Friday along with moderate to fresh winds. However, spraying conditions will improve over the weekend and into next week as more settled drier weather develops and winds ease.
Field Conditions
Most well-drained soils are saturated, while most moderately drained and poorly drained soils are either saturated or waterlogged. The exception to this is in parts of the east and northeast where all soil types have soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of 5mm to 10mm. With generally settled conditions expected from the weekend onwards, soil conditions are expected to improve. While some poorly drained soils will remain saturated, moderately drained and well-drained soils will see their SMDs increase to between 3mm and 15mm with trafficability improving.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
