Forecast issued at: Monday 11th May 2026 14:00
Rain
All areas were much drier than average over the past week with rainfall amounts generally between 0% and 21% of average. However, it was slightly wetter in southwestern and northern coastal areas with rainfall amounts there between 32% and 47% of average. The driest conditions were in the east, with 0mm recorded at Dublin Airport, Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin, and Oak Park, Co. Carlow. In contrast, 10.1 mm was recorded at Valentia Co. Kerry. It will be much more unsettled in the week ahead with more frequent rain and showers. It will be wettest in the west and driest in the south. Rrainfall amounts will range from approximately 94% of average in the south to 300% of average in the west.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures during the past 7 days ranged from 1.4 degrees below average to 0.1 degrees above average, ranging between 8.7 degrees in the northwest to 11 degrees further south. Mean soil temperatures have been well above average, ranging between 10.5 and 13.9 degrees, which is 1.5 to 3.2 degrees above normal. It will generally be cooler than average in the coming week, with air temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees; approximately 1 to 2 degrees below normal. Mean soil temperatures will remain above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were generally near or above average across the country during the past 7 days, with the exception of southern areas. It was dullest in the south with 30.9 hours of sunshine recorded at Cork Airport (74% of average). Northern areas were much brighter with 62.6 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (153% of average). Conditions will gradually turn more changeable in the coming week so, while there will be spells of sunshine, cloud amounts will generally vary. Sunshine amounts will likely be close to average as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate or good today and tomorrow with minimal rainfall and occasionally moderate winds. There will be more rainfall from Wednesday onwards, with drying conditions deteriorating as a result. However, drying will be moderate between showers.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying today and tomorrow with any rainfall being light and scattered and often light winds. However, it will turn breezier later on Tuesday, which may hamper spraying. More changeable conditions from Wednesday onwards will limit spraying opportunities.
Field Conditions
In general, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for all soil types range from around 10mm to 50mm, with the largest deficits in the east. Thus, most soils are trafficable. There is also some restriction to growth near eastern and western coasts. SMDs are expected to remain broadly similar for much of the coming week, though will decrease slightly towards the end of the week especially in northwestern areas where all soil types will get close to saturation.
