Forecast issued at: Tuesday 18th August 2026 12:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts have generally been below average, significantly so in many areas, during the past 7 days. Just 0.1mm of rain, or 1% of average rainfall, was recorded at both Oak Park, Co. Carlow and Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. The exception was at Malin Head, Co. Donegal where 29.7mm of rain, or 130% of average rainfall, was recorded. With plenty of showers or more persistent spells of rain forecast, most areas (the exception being further north) would be expected to see an increase in rainfall for the coming week with between 8mm and 40mm, or 50% and 180% of average, expected.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were above average across the country during the past 7 days by between 1.4 and 3.8 degrees. The lowest such temperature was 16.4 degrees recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo which was 1.4 degrees above average. The highest such temperate was 19.4 degrees recorded at Oak Park, Co. Carlow which was 3.5 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures were also above average by between 2 and 6 degrees. With fresher conditions forecast for the coming week, along with a switch to a northerly airflow on Thursday, cooler conditions are expected with temperatures reverting to average or a degree or two below, ranging from 13 to 16 degrees.
Sunshine
In terms of sunshine, there was a northwest - southeast divide across the country during the past week with parts of the north and west seeing below average sunshine and parts of the south and east seeing above average sunshine. The least sunshine was 6.7 hours (22% of average) recorded at Valentia, Co. Kerry. The most sunshine was 55.4 hours (146% of average) recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. Mixed conditions are forecast for the coming week with variable amounts of cloud and sunshine. Brighter conditions are expected later in the week as a fresher northerly airflow establishes itself.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate or poor over the coming days with showers or more persistent spells of rain forecast. Towards the weekend showers will become less frequent, leading to improved drying opportunities.
Spraying
With showers and breezy conditions forecast for the coming days, opportunities for spraying will be limited.
Field Conditions
Away from the west and northwest, most soils are experiencing restrictions to growth with soil moisute deficits (SMDs) generally above 30mm, and soils in parts of the south and east experiencing near drought or drought conditions with SMDs above 75mm. In contrast, soils in the west and northwest are saturated with SMDs between 0 and -10mm. While showers and rain are forecast for the coming week, any reductions in SMDs will be slight with restrictions to growth continuing and near drought or drought conditions persisting in parts of the south and east.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will continue until Thursday morning (20th August) in western and northern areas.
