Forecast issued at: Monday 31st August 2026 13:00
Rain
During the past seven days rainfall was above normal across Leinster, Munster and much of Connacht with generally 120 to 355% of average, and as much as 60.7mm of rainfall recoded at Johnstown Castle, Wexford. It was however drier than normal in the north of the country with rainfall accumulations between 35 and 87% of normal, in particular only 8.7mm of rainfall was recorded at Malin Head. The coming week will be extremely wet for most with 4 times the average rainfall in places, with rain or showers each day, turning heavy at times, though not widespread each day either. As a result, rainfall amounts will be above average nationwide as a result, over the next seven days.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the last seven days were typically 1.5 degrees above normal, from 15.2 degrees in Malin Head, Donegal and 17.1 degrees ait Roche's point, Cork. Mean soil temperatures have been well above average, ranging from 16 degrees at Malin Head, Donegal to 18.1 degrees in Belmullet, Mayo, which is between 2.1 and 3.1 degrees above average. While it will be fresher at times this weekend, the coming week will be slightly warmer with mean air temperatures will be 1 or 2 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures will continue to trend above normal too.
Sunshine
Normal or cloudy in the last week, with sunshine amounts generally close to or slightly below average, ranging from 52% (Cork Airport) to 110% (Malin Head, Donegal) above normal. It was brightest across north Ulster with 31.2 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Donegal while the south and midlands saw the least amount of sun, with 12.5 hours of sunshine recorded at Gurteen, Tipperary. With rather unsettled conditions during the coming week, sunshine amounts are likely to be below average.
Drying Conditions
Though today will bring dry conditions for most with just a few well scattered showers and sunny spells, more showery rain moving into the west and northwest later will reduce drying conditions to poor or very poor. Tuesday will see some sunny spells in the morning, though becoming cloudier through the day with a scattering of showers. Persistent rain in the north and southwest, leading to drying conditions remaining poor. Drying conditions will generally be moderate or poor in the coming days due to frequent rainfall and showers and lower sunshine amounts.
Spraying
There will be few opportunities for spraying in the coming days due to more unsettled conditions. There will be frequent spells of rain and showers with breezier conditions at times too.
Field Conditions
Despite recent heavy rain or showers, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are generally between 30 and 50mm across Leinster and much of Munster, leading to restriction to growth in places. SMDs are lower in other areas, ranging between 0 and 26mm. With more unsettled weather in the coming week, SMDs will decrease across the country. Soils in Connacht, Ulster and west Munster will become saturated with moderately to poorly drained soils away from the southeast becoming waterlogged. SMDs in the southeast will generally decrease to between 11 and 23mm.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur today, Monday 31st August until Thursday 3rd September in many areas, particularly on west coasts and in the midlands. Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
