Forecast issued at: Tuesday 30th June 2026 15:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts during the past week were below normal across most parts of the country. However, due to a combination of thunderstorm activity and Atlantic frontal rain in the west and northwest, rainfall amounts in these areas were higher than average ranging from 20 to 40mm. The highest accumulation of 41.1mm was recorded at Belmullet, which is 239% of average. The driest location was Dublin Airport where just 0.7mm has been recorded over the past week (5% of average). Most areas have seen some rain or showers today, Tuesday. There'll be further rain and showers through this week with the north and west most likely to see the brunt of these. As the week goes on, it will become more settled from the south as the Azores high starts to build towards our area. Over the next seven days, drier than normal conditions are expected overall, but accumulations will be closer to normal or slightly above in western and northwestern coastal areas.
Temperatures
Air temperatures were significantly higher than normal for most parts of the country during the past week, ranging 3.1 to 4.8 degrees above normal. Western and northern coastal areas were closer to, but still warmer than average, at around 1.6 degrees above. Mean values ranged between 15.5 and 19.6 degrees. During the next seven days, temperatures will be closer to normal generally, but will be around 2 degrees above normal in parts of the east and northeast. Soil temperatures are well above normal in most places, with mean values ranging 16.9 to 21.3 degrees.
Sunshine
There was plenty of sunshine in most areas over the past week and sunshine amounts were above normal generally. However, it was rather cloudy at times in the west and northwest. Casement Aerodrome recorded the most sunshine over the past week with 67 hours which is 185% of normal. In contrast, Belmullet recorded the lowest sunshine amount with just 15.2 hours which is 45% of its average. With mixed and changeable weather this week, sunshine amounts are likely to vary around normal for the time of year.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditons will be generally poor today due to showers. Conditions will improve in the south and southeast later this week, though they'll remain poor in the north and west with rain at times.
Spraying
There will be limited opportunities for spraying today and tomorrow due to rain or showers and breezy conditions at times. Spraying opportunities will improve in the south and southeast from Thursday and elsewhere this weekend.
Field Conditions
Most soil types are trafficable at present with the exception of some soils in the northwest. Soil moisture deficits range from around 25 to 50mm in the east and south and generally between 0 and 10mm in the northwest. Soils are forecast to remain broadly similar over the coming week, although deficits may increase to 60mm in parts of the southeast.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight are expected in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster from tonight (30th June) until Thursday morning (2nd July).
