Forecast issued at: Wednesday 08th July 2026 14:00
Rain
During the past seven days, rainfall amounts were close to normal in parts of the north with 16.4mm recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal, which is 94% of its average for this time of year. Elsewhere, it was much drier than normal with a number of stations in the south and southeast recording less than 0.5mm of rain, while Cork Airport saw no rain over the past week. The coming days will see a little rain and drizzle at times in the north and west, and possibly a few showers on Friday and the weekend. Overall, stations will likely record less than 8mm (36% or less of their average), with a number of stations in the east staying completely dry.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were generally close to or slightly above normal in Atlantic coastal counties, and were up to 3.2 degrees warmer than normal in the east and south, ranging between 14.6 degrees at Belmullet, Co. Mayo to 18.5 degrees at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. Mean soil temperatures were also above normal throughout the country by between 0.4 and 5 degrees, ranging between 15.2 and 20.4 degrees. The coming week will be warmer than average, by up to 6 degrees. Soil temperatures will increase further.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week were above normal for much of the south and east, with Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, recording the most at 65.6 hours (175% of its average). However, for most in the west and north, it was duller than average. Belmullet, Co. Mayo, recorded the least with just 1.7 hours of sunshine or 5% of its average. The coming days will see cloudy conditions persisting in the northwest, with below average amounts there, but better spells of sunshine developing more widely. From Saturday onwards, widespread sunny spells are expected with above average amounts expected for much of the country.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be limited in parts of the north and west over the country days with cooler and cloudier conditions along with a little rain, drizzle, mist and fog at times. Conditions elsewhere will be moderate to good. More widespread good conditions are expected from Friday onwards, outside of a few possible showers.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities away from the patchy rain and drizzle in the north and west, will be good over the coming days. Conditions in the north and west will improve over the weekend.
Field Conditions
Most soil types are trafficable at present with the exception of some soils in the northwest were soils are saturated with some poorly drained soils waterlogged. Elsewhere, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) range from around 14 to 66mm, highest over southern Leinster. With drier than average conditions expected over the coming week, SMDs will increase throughout the country over all soil types, likely ranging from 10 and 25mm in the north and west, and from 45 to 70mm in the south and east.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight are expected in western coastal parts of Ulster, Connacht and Munster on Thursday, 9th July, and Friday, 10th July. Spraying opportunities in the these areas will be occasionally limited by patchy drizzle and isolated showers.
