Forecast issued at: Tuesday 24th February 2026 14:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts were above average for most areas over the past week. However, there were a few exceptions, especially in coastal parts of the west. It was wettest across the Midlands and Midwest with 40.7mm recorded at Claremorris in County Mayo. The driest location was Oak Park in County Carlow which recorded 12.5mm over the 7 day period. Over the coming week, our weather will continue mostly unsettled with rainfall totals of 2-3 times the weekly normal forecast with 30-60mm expected widely.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures for the past week were above average nationwide, ranging from 6.5 degrees in the northwest to 10.1 degrees in the southwest. This ranges from 0.4 to 2.7 degree above normal. Mean soil temperatures were above average in all areas, ranging from 5.4 and 8.7 degrees, which is between 1.2 and 2.6 degrees above normal. It will be milder than average during the week ahead although turning colder briefly on Friday and Friday night. Mean air temperatures for the week will be around 1 to 3 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures will continue above average also.
Sunshine
In the last week, sunshine amounts have been below average. It was brightest in the southwest with 13.8 hours of sunshine recorded at Valentia in County Kerry (84% of the norm). It was dullest in the east and south-east with just 7.4 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle in County Wexford (40% of the norm). It will be rather cloudy during the coming week albeit with some sunshine likely on Friday. Sunshine totals are forecast to be below normal in most locations.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be poor over the coming days with spells of rain or frequent showers. The best drying conditions this week are likely on Friday afternoon when there will be a mix of sunshine and passing showers with brisk westerly winds.
Spraying
There be limited opportunities for spraying this week with mostly unsettled conditions.
Field Conditions
All poorly drained soils and some moderately drained soils are waterlogged, while all other soils are saturated. Over the coming week, there will be little change to soil conditions, with potential for more moderately drained soils to become waterlogged.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
