Forecast issued at: Wednesday 24th April 2024 09:00
Rain
A much-welcomed drier spell of weather has now taken hold with all regions of Ireland having received below normal rainfall amounts over the last 7 days. It has been driest in the south with just trace amounts of rainfall recorded in County Cork and County Kerry. Rainfall totals over the next 7 days will range from 5-15mm for most parts of the country, in the west rainfall amounts will be closer to normal with between 20 and 30mm for western parts of Connacht and up to 50mm for the west of Munster, which would be twice the normal rainfall for the time of year.
Temperatures
The last seven days have seen mean air temperatures generally around the April climatological average although it was colder than average by about a degree in the far north and higher than average by nearly two degrees in Cork and parts of Mayo. Temperatures ranged between 7.3 degrees in Dunlin and 10.8 degrees in Cork. Mean air temperatures for the coming week are expected to be below average for the time of year by about a degree, averaging between 7 and 9 degrees generally, up to 10 degrees on the south coast. Soil temperatures in the mean time are still above average by up to 3.3 degrees, that's averaging out at between 9.6 and 11.9 degrees.
Sunshine
There has been plenty of sunshine over the last few days and as a result all observing stations are reporting above average sunshine totals over the last 7 days. It was sunniest at Shannon Airport in County Clare with a total of 52.1 hours of sunshine recorded (142% of average). The least sunshine was recorded at Dublin Airport with just under 40 hours of sunshine observed (105% of the average). The next 7 days will likely bring near average sunshine amounts as the settled spell of weather gives way to more unsettled conditions from later this week.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally good for today, Wednesday, with a mix of cloud and sunshine along with moderate breezes. Some rain or showers are likely at times from Thursday onwards.
Spraying
Light to moderate winds and dry conditions over the coming days will allow for spraying across the country. Spraying conditions will deteriorate from Thursday onwards with rain or showers at times and breezier conditions forecast.
Field Conditions
Currently, most well and moderately drained soils are trafficable with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) ranging between 5 and 18mm. Poorly drained soils are quickly improving with many regions now trafficable albeit some areas of Ulster remain saturated. With largely dry weather over the next few days, soil conditions will improve. Later in the week, more unsettled conditions will cause soils to deteriorate slightly.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
