Forecast issued at: Friday 17th May 2024 13:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts have varied across the country over the past week with generally below average accumulations in the midlands and east and above average accumulations elsewhere. Cork airport recorded the most rainfall with 54.6mm which equates to 295% of average, while Casement Aerodrome in Co. Dublin recorded just 4mm or 30% of average. Overall a good deal of dry weather for the coming day or two but showery conditions are forecasted next week with some thundery downpours possible. Rainfall amounts are likely to vary quite considerably as a result of the hit and miss nature of the showers. In general rainfall amounts are predicted to vary from around 16% of average in the southwest to 155% in the north midlands.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures this past week were above average nationwide. Values ranged from 13.4 degrees at Cork Airport to 15.0 degrees at Shannon Airport. Mean air temperatures typically ranged between 2.4 and 4.2 degrees above average for the time of year. Mean soil temperatures have also been above average, with soils ranging 2.0 degrees above average in south Wexford but up to 5.7 degrees above average in parts of Dublin. Mean air temperatures for the coming week are expected to remain warmer than average, with mean temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees which generally equates to 1 to 3 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures will also continue to be above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts varied slightly below to slightly above average over the past week. Sunshine amounts ranged from 82 to 132% of the average. The sunniest conditions were recorded at Belmullet with 55.7 hours of sunshine recorded here over the past 7 days. The south coast saw the dullest conditions with 35.2 hours recorded at Cork airport. Sunshine amounts are expected to be around average for much of the week ahead.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally moderate over the coming week due to showers, though this will vary day by day and from location to location depending on where the showers fall. The best conditions will occur over the next day or two with a good deal of dry weather forecast. Current indications suggest showers will become more frequent next week.
Spraying
Opportunities for spraying will arise over the coming day or two, a deterioration next week as showery conditions are forecasted.
Field Conditions
Soil Moisture Deficits (SMDs) across all soil types are generally ranging between 5 and 35mm with the largest deficits in the east. In parts of the southwest, however, some well and moderately drained soils are currently saturated, while poorly drained soils are waterlogged. Over the coming week SMDs across all soil types are expected to remain similar or have some slight improvement.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
