Latest Farming Commentary

Forecast issued at: Friday 10th July 2020 16:00

Rain

Rainfall has been well above normal this past week, except for in some parts of the south. Elsewhere received around 2 times the average rainfall for this time of year, and areas of the midwest, midlands and northeast were up to 3 times wetter than normal. Highest totals were over parts of Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon with around 50mm. Our weather looks set to continue to be fairly mixed over the coming week with Atlantic frontal passages interspersed with drier and settled conditions. It will be generally wetter than average in mountainous regions and near western and northwestern coasts, with amounts near to below average elsewhere.

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures over the past week have been between 1 and 2 degrees below average countrywide. The coming week will trend near to slightly below average, between zero and 1 degree cooler than normal. This is due in part to a couple of colder nights this weekend. Soil temperatures are close to normal at around 15 or 16 degrees for most of the country, but just over 13 degrees in parts of Connacht.

Sunshine

It has been a dull week overall with all areas experiencing between 40 and 80% of their average sunshine amounts. The sunniest part of the country was around Malin Head, which received 27 hours of sunshine. In contrast, Dublin received just 15 hours of sunshine over the past week. Sunshine amounts will be variable over the coming week, but current indications are for lower than normal sunshine overall due to the mixed conditions.

Drying Conditions

Mainly dry conditions and sunny spells on Saturday and in the east and southeast on Sunday will give moderate to good drying conditions. However, drying conditions are likely to deteriorate into early next week due to changeable conditions.

Spraying

Good opportunities for spraying on Saturday in many places with mainly dry conditions and light winds. Rain later this weekend and into next week will diminish opportunities for spraying.

Field Conditions

Soil moisture deficits remain high over much of the inland southeast, with deficits between 40 and 50mm in some soils. Elsewhere, soils are generally saturated or near saturation. Little change in deficits is expected in the southeast in the next week. Elsewhere, soils are expected to dry out a little, away from the west and northwest.