Forecast issued at: Monday 10th March 2025 12:00
Rain
Over the last seven days, rainfall was well below average nationwide with no more than half the usual rainfall across much of the West, the South or the East (44mm recorded widely). It was even drier across other areas with just 10 to 20 % of the usual rainfall across much of the North, the Northeast and across the Midlands (10 to 20mm generally). While colder than normal, the next seven days will also be much drier than usual with just 15% of the normal precipitation, though perhaps a bit more across east and northeast counties with up to 55% of average expected. This will mostly fall as rainfall but there will be the potential for a few wintry showers too.
Temperatures
Sunday was the mildest day of the year so far with a top temperature of 17.7 degrees achieved in Mace Head Galway. Temperatures were 2 to 3 degrees above average. Mean values ranged between 8.3 and 10.4 degrees. Soil temperatures were also above normal by about 3 degrees on average, ranging between 7.9 and 9.2 degrees. It will be mild today, but it will become cool or even cold from tomorrow, so overall temperatures will be up to 2 degrees below average.
Sunshine
This past week has brought 1.25 to 1.5 times the usual sunshine of sunshine to the East and Southeast, but below average amounts to the rest of the country. It was sunniest at Dublin airport, where 35.6 hours of sunshine was recorded (156% of average). It was dullest in Belmullet, Co Mayo coming in at 13.7 hours or just 68% of average. Overall given an Artic flow, the next seven days sunshine hours should be back up to normal, at the very least, nationwide with well above usual sunshine hours in across many areas.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be good today but will decrease slightly through the week as temperatures turn much cooler and some showers are fed in over the country in northeast winds. Some brisk winds and plentiful sunshine on the upcoming days ahead which will aid drying.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying today in the fine weather and on many of the days ahead.
Field Conditions
Poorly drained soils are generally saturated or waterlogged. Otherwise, well or moderately drained soils have moisture deficits of 2 to 10mm. Over the next seven days, there will be some improvements in soil conditions with largely dry weather expected. While some poorly drained soils will remain saturated in the north and south, some well drained and moderately drained soils in parts of the midlands, southwest and northeast will see light soils become trafficable. Grass growth is expected to be about on average 16kg/DM/hectare/day. Grazing conditions will be quite good grazing conditions.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
