Forecast issued at: Tuesday 21st January 2025 14:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts have been well below normal throughout Ireland with less than 25% of the average amounts for the time of year recorded. Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry recorded the most with 6.1mm while Malin Head, Co. Donegal recorded just 0.3mm. Apart from a few showers, it will continue largely dry for the rest of today (Tuesday) and tomorrow but more unsettled conditions will then develop with frequent spells of rain or showers. Overall, the coming week will be wetter than normal, with between 150 and 250% of the average generally expected.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the last seven days have been above average across the country ranging between 7.3 degrees at Dublin Airport to 10.2 degrees at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry. This equated to between 2 and 3.8 degrees above normal for the time of year. Mean soil temperatures are between 1.5 and 3.5 degrees above normal, lowest in the east and highest in the southwest. It is set to be cooler for the coming week with mean air temperatures close to the average or slightly below normal and mean soil temperatures will decrease.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week varied substantially throughout the country with values ranging from 1.7 hours at Cork Airport (13% of its average) to 26.6 hours at Dublin Airport (196% of its average). For the coming week, there will be a fair amount of cloud around and so sunshine amounts are expected to be below average across much of the country.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions are expected to be moderate or poor.
Spraying
Some opportunities for spraying for the rest of today (Tuesday) and tomorrow away from showers. More unsettled conditions and stronger winds will then limit opportunities.
Field Conditions
Despite the recent largely dry conditions, most soils across Ireland are near saturated with many poorly drained soils close to being waterlogged. From Thursday, the above average rainfall throughout the country will result in deteriorating conditions with all poorly drained soils and many moderately drained soils becoming waterlogged.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
