Forecast issued at: Tuesday 04th August 2026 13:00
Rain
During the past week, rainfall amounts have been below average for the southeast and in some inland parts of Connacht and parts of the northeast too. Otherwise it was wetter than normal. It was wettest in Mullingar with 48.9mm or 276% of normal. Belmullet had 44.4m or 217% of normal, whereas Oak Park only saw 2.5mm of rain or 17% of normal. The next seven days will be changeable. The north and northwest will be wetter than normal, but elsewhere it is likely to average out drier than normal with between 30% and 70% of normal rain, driest all the while in Leinster.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures have generally been close to average for much of the country, but it has been warmer across the East and South, by up to degree or so. Mean air temperatures ranged from 14.2 degrees Celsius at Knock, Co. Mayo to 17.4 degrees across the east. Overall, for the coming 7 days, mean air temperatures are expected to be come in around average or even slightly below, ranging from 14 to 16 degrees, again warmest in the South and East. Mean soil temperatures were above average during the past week by between 0.9 and 4 degrees, ranging from 15.9 degrees in the far North to 19.8 degrees in Dublin region. They are also expected to remain above average for the coming week, though they will turn slightly cooler.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were slightly above average generally for the past seven days, ranging 93% to 117% of normal. Dublin recorded the highest sunshine hours with 39.8 hours here in total. It was dullest in Gurteen with 20.7 hours of sunshine. Over the coming week, we're likely to see sunshine amounts coming in around average or or more likely slightly below normal.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate or poor over the coming days, though in sunshine tomorrow and a fresh breeze some southern parts should see good drying conditions.
Spraying
There'll be some opportunity for spraying during the second half of the week, away from scattered showers.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) generally currently range from around 40mm to 85mm, with the driest conditions across the south and east. SMDs are lower though in the north and northwest, with deficits here of around 10mm or so, and with soils close to saturation now along the northwest coast. The ground is hard with restriction to growth in many areas away from the north and northwest. Over the coming week, with some rain or showers in the forecast, SMDs will drop a little, but not very significantly.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect until Wednesday. Weather conditions conductive to the spread of potato blight will develop across many parts of Munster, Connacht, Ulster and north Leinster, becoming more confined to Ulster and north Connacht Wednesday evening.
