Forecast issued at: Wednesday 01st May 2024 16:00
Rain
Rainfall this last week has been variable with drier than average to average rainfall across parts of the east, north and in eastern parts of Connacht. However, rainfall was above average in the southeast, southwest and some parts of the midlands. The driest conditions were recorded at Dublin Airport where just 6.7mm fell. It was wettest in the southeast with 40.9mm recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. It will remain unsettled over the coming days with showers or longer spells of rain most days. It is expected to be wetter than normal across much of Leinster, east Ulster and parts of Munster during the next seven days as low pressure remains positioned near Ireland pushing in bands of rain and showers. Rainfall totals are expected to range 20-35mm in many areas this coming week, but parts of the west, northwest and the very southwest more likely to expect in range of 5 -15mm.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures this past week have been 1 to 2 degrees Celsius below average across the country. Mean air temperatures ranged from 7 degrees Celsius in the east to 9.2 degrees Celsius in the southwest. Mean soil temperatures have however generally been 1 to 2 degrees above average, but in parts of the southeast mean soil temperatures were around average. Mean soil temperatures are ranging between 9.8 degrees and 11.9 degrees at the moment. Mean air temperatures this coming week will be around average in most areas but they will be slightly above in the east and midlands, and slightly below in parts of the southwest. Soil temperatures will remain above average in most areas.
Sunshine
It has been sunnier than average over the last seven days in parts of the west, northwest and north, with sunshine amounts between 109% and 134% of average. It was sunniest in the north with 51.9 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal. The dullest conditions were recorded in the southeast with 28.3 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle. With our weather staying unsettled over the coming week with showers or rain most days, sunshine amounts will likely be near average or slightly below for many areas.
Drying Conditions
Showers or rain over the coming days will lead to poor drying conditions overall. Very poor conditions on Thursday over the southern half of the country with rain heavy at times. The best opportunities for drying over the next 7 days will be early next week.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will be limited over the coming days with more frequent rainfall and breezy conditions. There may be opportunities for spraying away from the showers from Sunday onwards.
Field Conditions
Currently all well drained soils and most moderately drained soils have good trafficability of light and medium soils. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) vary for poorly drained soils from -10 to +10mm, with the best of the SMDs in parts of the east and south midlands. With increased rainfall in the coming seven days, soil conditions will deteriorate. Though SMDs will decrease, most well drained and moderately drained soils will remain trafficable. However most poorly trained soils will become saturated or waterlogged.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. For any early sown crops: From Saturday afternoon 4th May until Monday 6th May, weather conditions conductive to the spread of potato blight will affect regions of the midlands, north, northeast and east. Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
