Forecast issued at: Thursday 23rd April 2026 12:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts for the last 7 days were below average across the country, most significantly so in parts of the east. The least rainfall was recorded at at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin where just 1mm (8% of average) fell. The most rainfall was recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry where 14.9mm (67% of average) fell. With high pressure expected to dominate our weather for the coming week, rainfall amounts are expected to be significantly below average across the country with 2mm or less forecast for most areas. The exception is the southwest where some showers could bring around 10mm locally (still significantly below average).
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures during the past 7 days ranged from 0.2 degrees below average to 0.6 degrees above average. The lowest such temperature was 8.4 degrees recorded at Dublin Airport, Co. Dublin (0.2 degrees below average), Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (0.1 degrees below average) and Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan (0.2 degrees below average). The highest such temperature was 10.3 degrees recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry (0.6 degrees above average). With plenty of sunshine forecast for the coming week, mean air temperatures are expected to be around 11 or 12 degrees around the country, which is 2 or 3 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures were above average across the country during the past week by between 1.5 degrees and 2.8 degrees, and would be expected to remain above average for the coming week.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts during the past week ranged from average to 177% of average. The most sunshine was recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal where there were 65.6 hours, or 177% of average. In contrast, 37.8 hours, or 103% of average, were recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co, Kerry. With plenty of sunshine forecast for the coming week, sunshine amounts would be expected to be above average across the country.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be good for the coming days with mostly dry conditions forecast, albeit there may be a few showers in the southwest, temperatures rising, and moderate to fresh breezes. However, with winds easing over the weekend, drying conditions may become moderate as opposed to good.
Spraying
Breezy conditions may limit spraying opportunities on Thursday. However, as winds ease through Friday and into the weekend and with mostly dry conditions forecast, apart from a few showers in the southwest, there should be good opportunities for spraying.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for moderately and well drained soils currently range from 8mm in parts of the midlands to 21mm in parts of the east. SMDs for poorly drained soils range from -1mm in parts of the midlands to 19mm in parts of the east. With mostly dry conditions forecast for the coming wheel, SMDs are expected to significantly increase, leading to an increase in trafficability, for all soil types across the country, ranging from around 15mm up to 35mm in parts of the east.
Further Comments
A condition orange high fire risk has been issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine until 12pm on 27th of April. Arising from current and forecast weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
