Forecast issued at: Tuesday 01st April 2025 11:00
Rain
The past seven days have been drier or significantly drier than normal for the time of year. Rainfall amounts ranged from just 1.4mm at Oak Park, Co. Carlow (10% of its average) to 14.5mm at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (72% of its average). This coming week will be completely dry in many areas, especially further north. There'll just be a little showery rain, mainly later Thursday and into Friday which will give between 1 and 3mm in places.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were above normal throughout the country, with values coming in at between 1.5 and 2.8 degrees of average. Mullingar, Co. Westmeath recorded the lowest, with a mean air temperature of 8.6 degrees there, which is 1.5 degrees above its average, while Shannon Airport, Co. Clare recorded a mean air temperature of 10.8 degrees, which is 2.3 above its average. The greatest deviation from normal was at Casement Aerodrome with a mean air temperature of 10.4 degrees (2.8 degrees above its average). Mean soil temperatures over the past week were significantly above normal, ranging from 8.0 to 10.6 degrees, which is between 2.5 and 4.1 degrees higher than normal. The coming week will continue milder than average in many areas by day, though it'll be cooler along the east coast, and some chilly nights will offset the milder days. Mean air temperatures air expected to range between 8 and 10 degrees, highest further west, which is around normal in many areas, to 1 degree above in some western and southwestern parts. Mean soil temperatures won't change too much.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week came in a little below normal in parts of the west and northwest to generally around average or a little above in some eastern parts. A total of 20.9 hours of sunshine was recorded in Belmullet, Co. Mayo, which equates to 76% of normal and this was where the lowest amount of sunshine was recorded. The highest amount of sunshine was recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin, with a total of 33.9 hours there, which equates to 122% of normal. There will be plenty of sunshine for most days of the coming week, with above well average sunshine amounts expected.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will often be good this week.
Spraying
Spraying conditions will often be good, though will be limited at times due to a brisk east or southeasterly breeze, especially today, Thursday and Saturday. Spraying conditions will be limited too later Thursday and into Friday due to a little showery rain, especially further south.
Field Conditions
Well and moderately drained soils currently have soil moisture deficits (SMDs) ranging between 4mm in some western and northern parts, to 26mm in the far east. In poorly drained soils, SMDs range between -5mm in parts of the west and northwest, to 23mm in the east. Over the coming week, SMDs are likely to increase by 10 to 15mm generally, with some restriction to growth in most well drained soils and in other soils in the east.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
