Forecast issued at: Wednesday 05th August 2026 12:00
Rain
During the past week, rainfall amounts have been below average for south Leinster. Otherwise it was wetter than normal. It was wettest in Mullingar with 56.7mm or 312% of normal. Knock airport had 39.6mm or 202% of normal, whereas Oak Park only saw 2.9mm of rain or 20% of normal. The next seven days will be changeable. The north coast and southwest will be wetter than normal, it will be close to normal in western parts, but elsewhere it is likely to average out drier than normal with between 20% and 70% of normal rain, driest all the while in the southeast.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures have generally been close to average for much of the country, but it has been warmer across the East and South, by up to degree or so. Mean air temperatures ranged from 14 degrees Celsius at Knock, Co. Mayo to 17.1 degrees across the east of south Leinster. Overall, for the coming 7 days, mean air temperatures are expected to be come in around average in most areas, and slightly above along southwestern, southern and eastern coastal fringes. Mean soil temperatures were above average during the past week by between 0.9 and 3.6 degrees, ranging from 15.8 degrees in the far North to 19.4 degrees in Dublin region. They are also expected to remain above average for the coming week, though they will turn slightly cooler in many areas.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were slightly above average generally for the past seven days, ranging 93% to 122% of normal. The southeast recorded the highest sunshine hours with 44.6 hours here in total. It was dullest in Belmullet with 33 hours of sunshine. Over the coming week, we're likely to see sunshine amounts coming in slightly below normal.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate over the coming days, and poor in precipitation over the weekend.
Spraying
There'll be some opportunity for spraying tomorrow and on Friday, away from scattered showers.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) generally currently range from around 40mm to 85mm, with the driest conditions across the south and east. SMDs are lower though in the north and northwest, and in the north midlands too, with deficits here of around 10mm to 20mm, and with soils close to saturation now along the northwest coast. The ground is hard with restriction to growth in many areas away from the north and northwest. Over the coming week, with some rain or showers in the forecast, SMDs will drop a little in parts, but not very significantly.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect for Ulster today.
