Forecast issued at: Thursday 03rd April 2025 13:00
Rain
The past seven days have been drier or significantly drier than normal for the time of year right across the country. Rainfall amounts ranged from just 1.4mm at Oak Park, Co. Carlow (10% of its average) to 13.8mm at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (70% of its average). With high pressure in charge, this coming week will be mostly dry. There'll just be a little showery rain Thursday night into Friday which will give between 1mm and 5mm in places, highest across the south and southeast. The rain will be patchier further north.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were above normal throughout the country, with values coming in at between 1.8 and 2.7 degrees above average. Mean air temperatures ranged from 9.2 degrees at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo to 11.5 degrees at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry. Mean soil temperatures over the past week were significantly above normal, ranging from 8.2 to 10.9 degrees, which is between 2.8 and 4 degrees higher than normal. Daytime temperatures this coming week will come in well above average in most areas, but will be offset by chilly nights. Overall, mean air temperatures will still be a little higher than average generally, ranging from 0 to 2 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures won't change too much.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week came in above average across the country. A total of 39.6 hours of sunshine was recorded in Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, which equates to 138% of normal and this was where the lowest amount of sunshine was recorded. The highest amount of sunshine was recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, with a total of 53.4 hours there, which equates to 180% of normal. There will be plenty of sunshine over the coming week, with well above average sunshine amounts expected countrywide.
Drying Conditions
Apart from later Thursday and a time on Friday, drying conditions will be good this week.
Spraying
Spraying conditions will often be good, though will be limited at times due to a brisk easterly breeze, mainly over the next few days. Winds will be lighter from later in the weekend and into early next week so spraying conditions will be good from then. Spraying conditions will be limited too later Thursday and into Friday due to some showery rain, which will be moving northwards.
Field Conditions
In poorly drained soils, SMDs range between 2mm in the far southwest to 25mm in the east. With mostly dry conditions over the coming week, SMDs are likely to increase by between 5mm and 15mm generally, with some further restriction to growth in most well drained soils and in other soils too in the east.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
