Forecast issued at: Thursday 06th March 2025 12:00
Rain
Over the last week, rainfall amounts have been well below average. It was wettest in the northwest with 10.3 mm recorded at Knock airport. The driest conditions were in parts of the east and south with many stations including Cork airport and Dublin airport recording 0mms. In the coming seven days, conditions will turn slightly more unsettled for a time with spells of showery rain feeding up from the south before high pressure builds in the north Atlantic bringing largely dry conditions once again. The wettest conditions will occur in the south and east but recorded amounts will still remain well below average for the time of year.
Temperatures
In the past week, mean air temperatures were near or slightly above average across the country, ranging between 6.1 and 8.5 degrees, between 0.1 degrees below average and 1.4 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures have been higher than average, ranging between 5.8 and 8.1 degrees, which is between 1 and 2 degrees above normal. It will trend milder than average over the next few days before turning much cooler early next week, overall mean air temperatures will trend near or just slightly above average. It is expected that temperatures will range between 7 and 8 degrees generally, which is normal or 1 degree above normal. Soil temperatures will also remain above normal.
Sunshine
This past week has brought above average amounts of sunshine across most the country. Most locations recorded around 20 to 43 hours of sunshine, which is largely between 1 to 2 times higher than normal. It was sunniest in the southeast with 43.1 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford (208% of average). Sunshine amounts were a little lower elsewhere, with the least amount of sunshine (15.7 hours) recorded at Knock airport, Co. Mayo (80% of average). The week ahead will likely bring sunshine totals that are closer to normal.
Drying Conditions
With scattered rain, drizzle and showers forecast over the coming days drying conditions will be moderate or poor. However, from Sunday conditions will improve becoming occasionally good in sunshine and dry conditions.
Spraying
There will be good opportunities for spraying today in the east and south. Otherwise, opportunities will be limited until later this weekend and for the early days of next week.
Field Conditions
Well drained and moderately drained soils currently have soil moisture deficits of around 0 to 9 mm while poorly drained soils are saturated or waterlogged. There will be a slight deterioration in soils through the week with conditions turning slightly more unsettled before conditions become drier and improve again by this time next week.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
