Forecast issued at: Wednesday 08th May 2024 14:00
Rain
Most areas are set to stay fully dry up until Sunday, with the exception of some rain and drizzle in the west and north today. It will become more unsettled from Sunday and into next week with periods of rain or showers, some heavy and thundery at times. So, a very settled week up until Sunday by all accounts with generally dry conditions, light winds and warm sunshine getting through at times too. However, rainfall totals between Sunday and next Wednesday will bring above average values with close to 2 to 3 times the average in many areas, but values closer to average along some southwest and west coasts. The last seven days have been drier than average in most areas, with the exception of the southeast where values were close to average or above average here. The driest conditions were across parts of the West with less than 3mm of rainfall in some parts of the West.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures this past week were above average in most areas, highest values recorded in the West and Northeast with values here typically between 1.1 and 1.7 degrees above average. Mean air values elsewhere were typically not much more than half a degree above average or less than this. Overall, mean air values ranged from 10.1 to 11.6 degrees. Mean soil temperatures have also been above average in most areas this past week, up to 2.5 to 3.0 degrees above average in parts of the east and midlands. The next seven days will bring milder than average mean air temperatures overall. Mean air temperatures will be up to 3 to 4 degrees above normal in parts of the east and midlands, but 1 to 2 degrees elsewhere.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts have been below average over the past seven days. Sunshine amounts varied from 43% to 95% of average. Valentia in Co Kerry recorded the most sunshine hours with 37.7 hours of sunshine this past week. The dullest conditions were recorded at Johnstown Castle in Co. Wexford with only 18.6 hours of sunshine this past week. Sunshine totals over the next 7 days will likely trend above average overall. The sunniest conditions are expected from Thursday to Saturday.
Drying Conditions
Good drying conditions over the coming days with mainly dry conditions expected until Sunday. Conditions will deteriorate from Sunday onwards.
Spraying
There will be plenty of opportunities for spraying this week up until Sunday.
Field Conditions
Currently, most soils are trafficable, although some poorly drained soils in the southeast are still saturated or close to it. Soil conditions will deteriorate from Sunday onwards, with many moderately and poorly drained soils becoming waterlogged and some well drained soils becoming saturated.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
