Forecast issued at: Tuesday 16th August 2022 15:00
Rain
Most areas had very little rainfall over the past week, less than 5mm, some areas were almost completely dry. However localised torrential downpours on Sunday and Monday led to very high accumulations (30 to 60mm) for some spots, especially in parts of Leinster and Munster. So very locally some areas had 2 to 3 times the normal weekly rainfall in a very short amount of time. There will be rain or showers this coming week most days from Wednesday night onwards. Most of the country will see above normal rainfall this week, ranging 20 to 40mm. Lowest totals will be in the east and south. The highest totals will be over the western half of the country. Mountainous areas in the west and southwest may see 50 to 70mm locally, over twice the normal amount.
Temperatures
Due to the recent heatwave, mean air temperatures have broadly been 2 to 5 degrees above average over the past 7 days, ranging 17 to 20 degrees, highest in the south and southeast. The far north however has had normal temperatures overall this week, with mean temperatures of around 15 degrees there. Mean soil temperatures have ranged 2 to 7 degrees above average, with mean temperatures of 17 to 23 degrees over this past week, highest values in the east and south. Air temperatures will be typical for the time of year this week for most areas, ranging 14 to 16 degrees. Some coastal parts of the south and east will have mean air temperatures of around 17 degrees, about a degree above average. Soil temperatures will remain several degrees above average but reduce slightly as the week progresses.
Sunshine
All areas had around twice the normal amount of sunshine over the past seven days, with over 70 hours of sunshine last week in most areas, a little lower for the west and north. This coming week will be much duller with around half of those many hours expected for most areas. There will be prolonged sunny spells however during Wednesday for most areas.
Drying Conditions
There will be moderate to good drying on Wednesday away from isolated showers before rain arrives into the west in the evening. There will be little to no drying from Wednesday night onwards. Some limited drying on Thursday afternoon after rain clears.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying on Wednesday. Rain, showers and breezier conditions will limit spraying opportunities for much of the rest of the week. There may be an opportunity for spraying in some areas Thursday afternoon after rain clears.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits currently range 40 to 70mm across most areas, highest values in the south and east. Soils are less dry in the far southwest, west and north, ranging in those areas between 20 to 30mm. Moisture deficits will generally decrease this week in most areas, some soils may approach saturation locally at times over the western half of the country. However moisture deficits will still range between 20 to 40mm for several areas of the south and east.
Further Comments
Blight Advisory in operation: Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will develop in most areas of Ireland on Sunday (21/08/22) through to Monday (22/08/22). There will be limited opportunities for spraying from Thursday onwards (18/08/22).
