Easnaimh Thaise na hIthreach

Forecast issued at: Saturday 17th November 2018 12:00

Rain

Rainfall over the past week has been quite varied across the country. Twice the average rainfall was recorded in some parts of Connacht and southwest Munster while north Leinster and east Ulster recorded less than 60% of normal rainfall amounts for the time of year. Generally settled conditions are expected through the rest of this weekend as high pressure builds in from the east and no appreciable rainfall is expected until around Tuesday the 20th, when a showery easterly flow will develop. As a result, rainfall figures near the east coast are expected to trend near to above normal, with most of the showers feeding into parts of Leinster, east Ulster and east Munster. Rainfall figures elsewhere will be below normal.

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures have been above normal over the past week due to recent mild days with maximum air temperatures in excess of 15 degrees Celsius recorded in some parts from Wednesday to Friday of this week. Temperatures will start to drop back to average this weekend and it is expected to turn progressively colder than average through next week, as a cold easterly flow becomes established. Frost and ice may become an issue by the middle of next week but brisk winds are likely to prevent anything significant before then.

Sunshine

Sunshine totals have been below or near-normal across the country this week. However, Malin Head in County Donegal and Casement Aerodrome in County Dublin were exceptions to the rule with around one and a half times the average sunshine recorded at these locations. Sunshine hours will be high countrywide on Sunday and western parts of country may come in above average over the coming week. Cloudier conditions will prevail in the eastern area next week though, so sunshine hours will likely be below average in these parts over the coming week.

Drying Conditions

Drying conditions will be generally good over the weekend and through Monday but they will deteriorate, especially in eastern parts of the country, from Tuesday onwards.

Spraying

There will be opportunities for spraying this weekend across many areas but a gusty southeasterly wind will affect western and southwestern areas at times. Opportunities will deteriorate more generally next week as easterly winds increase moderate to fresh.

Field Conditions

Most soils are saturated, and some poorly drained soils are waterlogged. The generally dry weather over this weekend will produce a slight improvement to conditions, but conditions will likely deteriorate again in eastern areas from Tuesday onwards.