Forecast issued at: Saturday 18th May 2024 11:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts have varied across the country over the past week with generally below average accumulations in the north midlands and northeast and above average accumulations elsewhere. Cork airport recorded the most rainfall with 59.8mm which equates to 322% of average, while Casement Aerodrome in Co. Dublin recorded just 4.1mm or 31% of average. Overall a good deal of dry weather today but showery conditions are forecasted in parts tomorrow and next week with some thundery downpours possible. Rainfall amounts are likely to vary quite considerably as a result of the hit and miss nature of the showers. In general rainfall amounts are predicted to vary from around 30% of average on the east coast to 260% in the midlands and parts of the south.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures this past week were above average nationwide. Values ranged from 13.4 degrees at Cork Airport to 14.6 degrees at Shannon Airport and Casement. Mean air temperatures typically ranged between 2 and 3.8 degrees above average for the time of year. Mean soil temperatures have also been above average, with soils ranging 2.0 degrees above average in south Wexford but up to 5.2 degrees above average in parts of Dublin. Mean air temperatures for the coming week are expected to remain warmer than average, with mean temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees which generally equates to 1 to 2 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures will also continue to be above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts varied from below to near average over the past week. Sunshine amounts ranged from 53 to 102% of the average. The sunniest conditions were recorded at Belmullet with 43.1 hours of sunshine recorded here over the past 7 days. The south coast saw the dullest conditions with 53 hours recorded at Cork airport. Sunshine amounts are expected to be around average for much of the week ahead.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally moderate over the coming week due to showers, though this will vary day by day and from location to location depending on where the showers fall. There will be good drying in sunshine and warm temperatures over the next few days too.
Spraying
Opportunities for spraying occur away from southern and midland areas today and tomorrow, and in the east on Monday.
Field Conditions
Soil Moisture Deficits (SMDs) across all soil types are generally ranging between 10 and 30mm. However, in the south and southwest soils are saturated or close to saturation, with poorly drained soils waterlogged. Over the coming week SMDs across all soil types are expected to remain similar or have some slight improvement.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
