Easnaimh Thaise na hIthreach

Forecast issued at: Thursday 22nd April 2021 15:00

Rain

The past week has generally been drier than normal across the country. The midlands, Leinster and east Munster in particular have been much drier than normal, with accumulated rainfall there ranging between just 1mm and 5.5mm, or between 6% and 38% of the average for the time of year. It was wetter over western counties, with accumulated rainfall between 15mm and 18mm or between 77% and 106% of the average. In the week ahead, high pressure will be the dominant driver of our weather. This will keep conditions settled with very little rainfall expected. So, the coming week will be considerably drier than normal.

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures in the past week have generally been around normal or slightly below. Mean temperatures ranged between 0.5 degrees above normal and 2 degrees below normal, or from 6.5 degrees at Dublin Airport to 10.5 degrees at Shannon Airport. Mean soil temperatures have been between 1 and 2 degrees above normal, ranging from 8 degrees to 10.5 degrees. In the coming week, mean air temperatures will be near normal or slightly above, with mild daytime temperatures expected, particularly over the western half of the country. However, night time temperatures will fall below normal at times so there will be a risk of grass frost. Mean soil temperatures will likely remain above normal and increase slightly.

Sunshine

In the past week, sunshine totals have varied across the country. It has been brighter than normal across the east and north while the west and south has been slightly duller than normal. Malin Head recorded the most sunshine at 44 hours, or 118% of its average. Valentia recorded the least sunshine at 26.5 hours, or 72% of its average. With high pressure dominant in the coming week bringing settled conditions, it will be a largely bright week with sunshine totals above normal.

Drying Conditions

Drying conditions will be good through to early next week with largely dry conditions, long spells of sunshine and often moderate easterly winds.

Spraying

There will be opportunities for spraying out to early next week with largely dry conditions and light to moderate easterly winds. However, fresh winds at times in the southwest will limit spraying opportunities there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Field Conditions

All soils are trafficable across the country. Soils are near saturation in the northwest, with soil moisture deficits of 0mm to 6mm there. Soils are much drier elsewhere, with soil moisture deficits generally ranging between 15mm and 40mm. With very little rainfall expected in the coming week, soils will become drier as soil moisture deficits increase. It will be driest in the south and east with some restriction to growth possible there.

Further Comments

Orange level forest fire warning in operation: high fire risk. Warning effective from 1200hrs 22/04/2021 until 1200hrs 26/04/2021. 'Arising from current high pressure dominated weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. This risk phase is expected to peak on Friday, April 23rd.' (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine). https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/01773-fire-management/#fire-danger-notices