Forecast issued at: Friday 26th July 2024 13:00
Rain
Over the past week, rainfall amounts were above average for the west and north of the country with accumulations largely between 100% and 230% of average. The exception was east Munster, east Leinster and the south midlands, where accumulations were between 40% and 96% of average. It was wettest in the west with 43.4mm recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Much drier in the east of the country with 8.4mm recorded at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. There will be occasional showers or spells of rain in the coming week but overall there will be a good deal of dry weather. Accumulations are expected to be between 30% and 75% of average, with the wettest conditions likely in the west.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures have generally been within a degree of average, ranging between 14.1 degrees and 16.4 degrees. Soil temperatures are near average or above average across the country, ranging between 15.1 and 18.2 degrees, which is 0.3 to 2 degrees above average. Mean temperatures over the coming week are forecast to be average or up to 2 degrees above average in parts of the east. Soil temperatures will also remain above normal.
Sunshine
In the past week, sunshine amounts have been below average across the country. It was brightest in the west with 23 hours of sunshine recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo (75% of average). It was much duller in the east with just 12.4 hours of sunshine recorded at Dublin Airport (34% of average). With mixed weather forecast over the coming week, sunshine is likely to trend near normal.
Drying Conditions
Showers and rain will lead to often poor drying until Saturday evening. Drying conditions will improve on Sunday with largely dry weather and in the east on Monday.
Spraying
There will be some opportunities for spraying on Saturday between showers but these opportunities will be limited. There will be good opportunities for spraying on Sunday and in the east on Monday.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) across all soil types are generally between 10 and 50mm, highest in the east. However, soils are closer to saturation in the northwest with SMDs there generally between 0 and 7mm. SMDs will fluctuate somewhat through the course of the week but with less than average rainfall expected, SMDs will increase to between 15 and 60mm for most of the country. However, SMDs will remain lower in the northwest, with SMDs between 5 and 15mm.
Further Comments
Conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will develop in north Connacht and parts of Ulster on Friday night and Saturday morning. There will be limited opportunities for spraying between showers on Friday. Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
