Forecast issued at: Thursday 10th September 2026 13:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts over the past seven days varied across the country with below normal amounts in parts of the north, north midlands and parts of the south and southeast. Elsewhere amounts were close to or above normal. Roche's Point, Co. Cork recorded the least with 12mm or 61% of its average while Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry recorded the most with 38.5mm or 136% of its average. The greatest deviation from normal was recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin with 179% of the average for the time of year recorded. The weather over the coming days will be changeable with spells of rain or showers, heavy at times, interspaced with drier periods. Overall, rainfall amounts will be above average for most, especially in the northwest with up to 250% of its average currently expected. It will be driest in parts of the far south and southeast with closer to or below normal amounts expected.
Temperatures
Air temperatures over the past week were above normal, ranging between 13.4 degrees at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo and 15.8 degrees at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare. This equates to between 0.4 and 1.7 degrees above normal with Dublin Airport recorded that largest difference from its average. Mean soil temperatures were also above normal, with values of 15.0 to 17.0 degrees which is between 1.7 and 2.9 degrees above normal. With the changeable conditions over the coming week, temperatures will fluctuate but overall, mean air temperatures of 1 or 2 degrees above normal are expected and mean soil temperatures will continue above normal too.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were below normal across the country over the past week, especially along southern and western coastal counties, with between 32 and 84% of their average recorded. Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry was the dullest station with just 9.1 hours of sunshine while Dublin Airport recorded the most with 25.1 hours. With changeable weather over the coming week, sunshine amounts are likely to be below normal generally.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will often be moderate or poor this week due to spells of rain or showers and with lighter winds during drier periods. The best opportunities will be tomorrow (Friday) and Sunday away from any showers.
Spraying
There will be limited opportunities for spraying this week as there will be spells of rain, showers and breezy conditions at times. The best opportunities will be tomorrow (Friday) and Sunday away from any showers.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) generally range between 1 or 2mm in northwest and far southwest to 38mm in parts of the east with some restriction to growth. However, poorly drained soils in the northwest are saturated. With above average rainfall over the coming weeks, SMDs will decrease across the country with soils in the northwest, southwest and parts of the midlands becoming saturated or waterlogged. SMDs elsewhere will generally range between 5 and 30mm. Soils in parts of the south and southeast will see the smallest changes.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur Thursday night (10th September) into Friday morning (11th September) and again from Saturday afternoon (12th September) until Tuesday afternoon (15th Septmeber).
