Forecast issued at: Tuesday 19th May 2026 12:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts over the past week were close to or above average across the country, ranging between 89% and 211% of average. It was wettest in the west and southwest with 33.5mm recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry. The driest conditions were in the east of the country with 11.8mm recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin. It will be generally unsettled during this working week but more settled, drier conditions will develop over the weekend and early next week. Rainfall amounts will be below average for most of the country as a result, though will be closer to normal in some northern areas.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were well below average across the country during the past week, ranging between 8.3 and 10.7 degrees, which is 0.9 to 2.3 degrees below average. Mean soil temperatures were above average during the past week by 0.2 to 1.6 degrees, ranging from 10 degrees to 13 degrees. Mean air temperatures will steadily increase as this week progresses, rising to between 2 and 4 degrees higher than normal. Mean soils temperatures will increase also.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were generally below average over the past week, with the exception of some northern areas. It was dullest in the southwest with 26.3 hours of sunshine recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry (64% of average). Much brighter in northern areas with 43.9 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (103% of average). During the working week it will be largely cloudy with sunshine amounts remaining below average at first. However, sunshine will increase over the weekend with average suynshine amounts over the next seven days likely to be close to or slightly above average as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be poor during the working week due to rain and showers at times. Drying will improve on Friday with good drying expected over the weekend and early next week.
Spraying
There will be some opportunities for spraying on Wednesday with just occasional showers and light to moderate winds. Spraying opportunities will be limited on Thursday and Friday but will improve at the weekend.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for all soil types range from around 5mm to 51mm, lowest in the northwest and highest in the east with some restriction to growth. There will be an initial decrease in SMDs across all soil types in the coming days with spells of rain and showers. Soils in parts of the west and north will become saturated during the working week. However, drier conditions over the weekend will lead to an increase in SMDs once again to between 10mm and 50mm.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will develop in some parts of the west, south and midlands from Tuesday afternoon and evening (19th May), becoming more widespread from Thursday (21st May) until Saturday (23rd May). There will be opportunities for spraying on Wednesday (20th May). Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on www.met.ie -> Forecast -> Blight Forecast.
