Forecast issued at: Thursday 25th April 2024 12:00
Rain
There has been a much-welcomed drier spell of weather over Ireland for the past week with less than 5 mm of rainfall recorded for the week. The coming week will be more mixed and rainfall amounts will be higher. There will be some showers over the weekend and more persistent rain at times from Monday onwards. Rainfall totals over the next 7 days will range from 15mm in the north to 35 mm in the south. This equates to 100 to 250% of average.
Temperatures
For the past seven days, mean air temperatures ranged from 7.5 to 10.5 degrees across Ireland, coldest in the east and warmest in the south and southwest. Temperatures were below average in north Ulster and parts of east Leinster by between 0 and -1.3 degrees. For the rest of the country, mean temperatures were above average by between 0 and 2 degrees. Soil temperatures have been well above average ranging from 10.2 to 12.3 degrees, which is between 1.1 and 3.7 degrees above average. Friday and the weekend will continue cool by day and with frost in places at night. It will become milder from Monday onwards. So, overall mean air temperatures for the coming week will be around average. Soil temperatures will continue above average.
Sunshine
For the past week, sunshine amounts have been well above average, ranging from 100 to 160% of average. The next 7 days will likely bring near average sunshine amounts as the settled spell of weather gives way to more unsettled conditions.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be limited today due to showers. There will be some decent drying periods on Friday and over the weekend, but some showers also. Drying conditions will be poorer early next week due to more persistent rain at times.
Spraying
With light to moderate manly northerly breezes, There will be some decent opportunities for spraying on Friday and over the weekend although there will be some showers. Early next week, spraying conditions will be limited.
Field Conditions
The mainly dry weather over the past week has improved soil trafficability significantly. Soil moisture deficits currently range from 5 mm in the northeast to 21 mm in the south and southwest. Soil trafficability will continue to improve on Friday and over the weekend. However, it will deteriorate early next week.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
