Forecast issued at: Saturday 30th September 2023 13:00
Rain
It has been wetter than average nationwide over the last seven days, especially in the south. The wettest location was Valentia in County Kerry with 103.6mm of rainfall recorded (315% of average). It was least wet in County Dublin, 18mm of rainfall was measured at Casement Aerodrome (116% of average). The next 7 days are expected to see variable amounts of rainfall with around 10-20mm in general, some southern and Atlantic coastal counties are expected to receive higher rainfall amounts perhaps up to 50mm in some parts of Connacht.
Temperatures
It has been milder than average across the country as compared to the 30-year climate norms from 1961 to 1990. The mildest location was at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin with a mean air temperature running +1.1 degrees above the average. It looks set to be mild or very mild over the next 7 days with temperatures forecast to be around 3 degrees above the October mean.
Sunshine
It has been duller than normal over Ireland during the last week with 17 to 26 hours of sunshine record. The dullest location was at Malin Head with just 17 hours of sunshine measured. The next 7 days will bring mixed weather conditions with a fair amount of cloud. Sunday looks set to see the best sunshine of the coming 7 day period.
Drying Conditions
Other than spells of rain today, Saturday, and possibly to a lesser extent towards midweek, along with the chance of showers at times mostly on coastal fringes, there will be some good drying periods, especially on Sunday.
Spraying
There will be some opportunities for spraying, especially on Sunday and Monday.
Field Conditions
Most soils are saturated or waterlogged at the moment. Conditions could deteriorate further today, Saturday with poor drained soils and moderately drained soils in the south becoming waterlogged and the chances of some localised flooding exists, even without meeting rainfall warning level. All soils will slowly recover thereafter with moderately drained soils coming back closer to saturation, while some poorly drained soils will jet reduce below waterlogged condition. Overall trafficability will remain poor though the period, while dry lies, for stock that remain out, will be hard to find.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
