Forecast issued at: Thursday 12th September 2024 10:00
Rain
Over the past week, most areas were drier than average, with rainfall amounts generally between 10% and 40% of normal with between 2 and 9 mm of rain recorded, amounts were higher in Malin Head with 20 mm (85)%. Between today and Monday, the weather will be mixed with rain or showers at times. Much of the country will have below average rainfall with between 3 and 10 mm (10 to 60%), along the west coast amounts will be higher with up to 26mm expected in western parts of Mayo.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were normal or slightly above normal during the past week, ranging between 13.2 degrees in the north and 14.9 degrees in the south. Soil temperatures are currently higher than normal, ranging between 13.6 and 15.8 degrees, which is between 1 and 2.2 degrees above average. It will be cold for today and tomorrow with temperatures well below average, then temperatures will recover close to normal this weekend. Thus, air temperatures will average around 14 or 15 degrees which is above average by up to 2 degrees. Soil temperatures will remain above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine recorded over the last seven days was above the average for much of the country with the exception of the south. It was brightest in the north with 48.5 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (171% of average). It was duller in the south with 22.2 hours of sunshine recorded at Cork Airport (70% of average). The coming week will see high pressure move in and sunshine should be average or slightly higher as a result.
Drying Conditions
There will be moderate northwest winds for the rest of today and early tomorrow, combined with isolated showers and cooler temperatures, this will lead to moderate drying conditions at best. Later Friday and the weekend, more persistent and frequent rain will lead to poor drying, especially over the northern half of the country. Drying conditions will improve early next week as high pressure builds and temperatures increase.
Spraying
Spraying conditions will be best today and for early tomorrow as winds ease and showers die out, then again after Saturday when the weather is expected to become settled.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for much of the country are currently between 0 and 10 mm in the northwest were soils are wet. They range from 10 to 50 mm further south with the driest soils in south Leinster. More frequent rain and showers in the days ahead will lead to a deterioration in soil conditions, especially in the west and north. However, soil conditions will improve early next week.
Further Comments
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
