Forecast issued at: Tuesday 07th July 2026 13:00
Rain
During the past seven days, rainfall amounts were close to or above normal in parts of the north and northwest with 11.5 to 24.2mm recorded, highest at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (139% of its average). Elsewhere, it was drier than normal with amounts ranging between 1.5 and 7.9mm, driest at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare (10% of its average). The coming days will see a little rain and drizzle at times, mainly in the north and west, and possibly a few showers for Friday and the weekend. Overall, stations will likely record less than 6mm (11% or less of their average), with many stations staying completely dry.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were generally close to or slightly above normal in Atlantic coastal counties, and were up to 3.1 degrees warmer than normal further east, ranging between 14.5 degrees at Belmullet, Co. Mayo to 18.3 degrees at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. Mean soil temperatures were above normal throughout the country by between 0.5 and 4.7 degrees, ranging between 15.4 and 19.9 degrees. The coming week will be milder than average, generally by up to 5 degrees. Soil temperatures will increase further.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week were close to or above normal in parts of the south and southeast with Johnstown Castle recording the most at 57.9 hours (155% of the average). However, for most it was duller than average, especially in the northwest. Belmullet, Co. Mayo recorded the least with just 1.6 hours of sunshine or 5% of its average. The coming days will see rather cloudy conditions persisting in the northwest, with below average amounts there, but better spells of sunshine developing more widely. From Friday onwards, widespread sunny spells are expected with above average amounts expected for much of the country.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be limited in parts of the north and west over the country days with cooler and cloudier conditions along with a little rain and drizzle at times. Conditions elsewhere will be moderate to good. More widespread good conditions are expected from Friday onwards, outside of a few possible showers.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities away from the patchy rain and drizzle, mainly in the north and west, will be good over the coming days. Conditions in the north and west will improve later in the coming week.
Field Conditions
Most soil types are trafficable at present with the exception of some soils in the northwest were soils are saturated with some poorly drained soils waterlogged. Elsewhere, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) range from around 14 to 64mm, highest over southern Leinster. With the drier than average conditions expected over the coming week, SMDs will increase throughout the country over all soil types, likely ranging between 10 to 25 in the northwest to 50 to 75mm in parts of the south and east.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight are expected in west Ulster, parts of Connacht and some western coastal parts of Munster until Wednesday afternoon, 8th July. Spraying opportunities in the these areas will be occasionally limited by patchy rain and drizzle.
