Farming Weather Analysis

Tuesday 22 August 2017 12:00

Rain

Rainfall for the past week has been above average in most places. About 2.5 times the normal rainfall was recorded in the Mid West Region of north Munster. Much of Connacht west Ulster and parts of west Munster had twice the average amounts. All other areas were between 1.25 and 1.5 times normal. The week ahead will be unsettled, with the Atlantic regime dominating. Rainfall amounts are expected to be above normal in much of Ulster, Connacht and west Munster coastal areas. Values elsewhere normal or below with parts of east Munster and south Leinster likely to be well below normal.

Temperatures

Mean air temperatures for the past week were generally about a degree below average. For the coming seven days temperatures are expected to be slightly below too. The warm humid conditions will have cleared overnight tonight with much fresher conditions from Wednesday. Soil temperatures are generally between 15.0 and 16.5 C., highest along the Atlantic Seaboard. These values are slightly above normal generally, but 0.2 to 0.4 C., below over south Leinster. Values are unlikely to increase as fresher air takes hold.

Sunshine

Sunshine over the past week was close to or above average away from western coastal counties where values ranged 70 to 90 %. Elsewhere values ranged 100 to 125 %. The coming week is expected to see a good deal of cloud in general and sunshine amounts are likely to be below normal especially in parts of the north and northwest of the country around average elsewhere.

Drying Conditions

Some mixed drying conditions in the coming week. Poor at ties in the rain or showery episodes in western and northern areas. Best chances in southern and eastern areas.

Spraying

Some limited opportunities for spraying are expected during the next seven days.

Field Conditions

Soil moisture deficits are running around 20 mm in parts of the east but elsewhere the range between 0 and 10mm with saturated soils in many other areas especially in poorly drained soils.