Forecast issued at: Tuesday 23rd September 2025 12:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts were above normal across many parts of the country over the past seven days, with between 110% and 301% of the average recorded generally, highest in the southeast. However, rainfall amounts came in a little below average in some parts of the north midlands and west. The least amount of rainfall, 21.4mm, was recorded in Belmullet, Co. Mayo, which equates to 86% of normal, while the highest amount, 64.3mm, was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, which equates to 301% of normal. High pressure is generally going to dominate for the coming days, bringing drier than average conditions. It'll become more unsettled for a time later in the week and to start the weekend with rain spreading eastwards. However, after that it looks like high pressure will dominate again. Overall, rainfall amounts will generally be below normal for the week ahead, though may be closer to normal or a little above in some parts of the east and northeast. Rainfall amounts will vary from around 5mm or 25% of normal, to around 15mm in the east and northeast, which equates to around 110%.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the last seven days came in below normal by up to a degree and a half or so, ranging from 11.0 degrees Celsius at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo to 13.2 degrees Celsius at Roches Point, Co. Cork. Mean soil temperatures were above normal over the past week, ranging between 12.2 and 14.6 degrees, which is between 0 and 2.1 degrees above average. Over much of the coming week, it will generally be cooler than normal with mean air temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees expected, which is 1 or 2 degrees below the average for much of the country. Some northern areas may fare closer to normal. Mean soil temperatures will decrease a little.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts came in close to normal across the country during the past seven days. It was dullest at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry with 21.9 hours (84% of its average) recorded. The highest amount, 32.6 hours (110% of average), was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. Over the coming week, there will be good spells of sunshine, but cloudier conditions at times too, especially on Friday and early in the weekend. Overall, sunshine amounts will be higher than normal.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally good over the coming days, with good spells of sunshine. Drying conditions will deteriorate for a time later in the week.
Spraying
There will be good opportunities generally for spraying over the coming days. However, spraying opportunities will become limited along the west coast from Wednesday as winds freshen and more generally towards the weekend with rain spreading eastwards. After the rain clears eastwards on Saturday, spraying opportunities will become good again.
Field Conditions
Most light soils have become trafficable, with current soil moisture deficits in moderate and well drained soils, generally ranging from 1 to 7 mm. Most poorly drained soils across the west, northwest, north midlands and far southeast are saturated, though poorly drained soils in general in the east and south are drier. Over the coming 7 days, soil conditions will generally continue to improve a little, though will deteriorate temporarily later Friday and Saturday.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
