Forecast issued at: Tuesday 31st March 2026 14:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts were generally between 1 and 2.5 times the average amounts for much of the country. The exceptions were for parts of Munster and south Leinster where drier than average conditions prevailed. Roche's Point, Co. Cork recorded the least with just 10mm (62% of normal). Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo recorded the most with 42mm (176% of normal). While today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) will see some rain and drizzle, amounts will be quite small. However, more unsettled conditions will then develop, turning rather unsettled over the Easter weekend so above average rainfall is expected over the coming seven day period. Amounts will likely range between 20 and 50mm for most but higher amounts are possible, especially in western parts.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were close to or below normal, ranging from 6.3 degrees at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo to 8.8 degrees at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry. This equates to between 1.2 degrees below normal to 0.2 degrees above. Mean soil temperatures have been above normal, ranging from 6.7 degrees to 9.5 degrees. The coming week will see flucations between milder and cooler than average conditions, overall likely averaging close to normal or a degree below. Mean soil temperatures will likely decrease slightly but generally will remain above average.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week were close to or slightly above average, with amounts ranging between 24.1 hours at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry (91% of its average) to 35.1 hours at Dublin Airport (121% of its average). Over the coming week, while there will be sunny spells at times, overall cloudier than average conditions are expected.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will limited over the coming week with unsettled conditions developing, especially from later Thursday onwards.
Spraying
There will be some spraying opportunities later Wednesday and early Thursday but mostly spraying conditions will be poor.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for well and moderately drained soils currently range between 0mm in the north to 11mm in the south. SMDs in parts of the south and east in poorly drained soils range between 0 and 6mm but otherwise are saturated or close to being waterlogged especially in the north and west. With unsettled conditions developing later this week, conditions will deteriorate with most poorly drained soils and localised moderately drained soils becoming waterlogged. Other soils will become saturated or close to it.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
