Forecast issued at: Wednesday 08th April 2026 15:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts varied across the country, with the west and north-west recording the highest amount of rainfall. The highest accumulation was recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo with 63.6mm or 337% of the average. Further south and east, conditions were noticabely drier. The least amount of rainfall was recorded at Roches Point, Co. Cork with 6.5mm or 43% of average. Conditions are expected to become more unsettled over the next 7 days with spells of rain or shower forcast. Totals are expected to be slightly above average across the country, with parts of the west and south-west receiving 3 times the climatic average for this time of year.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week were mostly around the climatological average, with values ranging from 6.6 to 9.6 degrees. Mean soil temperatures have been above normal by between one and three degrees, ranging from 7.8 to 10.5 degrees. The coming week will see fluctuations between milder and cooler than average conditions, overall mean air temperatures are likely to be below normal, ranging between 1 to 3 degrees below average. Mean soil temperatures will remain above average.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week were below normal in most areas with the exception of some eastern and southeastern coastal fringes. Belmullet in County Mayo received the least amount of sunshine, with just 19.9 hours recorded or 64% of the norm. It was sunnest in Johnstown Castle in County Wexford where 41.2 hours of sunshine was recorded, 129% of the norm. Over the coming week, the weather will be mixed, and while there'll be sunny spells at times, sunshine amounts likely to come in a little below average.
Drying Conditions
There will be good dry opportunities today, Wednesday, across the country. Thursday may also have a few opportunities between showers. From Friday onwards, drying conditions will deteriorate as we move into a spell of very unsettled weather.
Spraying
Wednesday will be the best day for spraying this week with dry conditions and just moderate breezes. Spraying opportunities will be limited for the remainder of the week.
Field Conditions
Light and moderately drained soils in the south and east are trafficable, but otherwise light and moderately drained soils are saturated. Many poorly drained soils are saturated or waterlogged, with soil moisture deficits in poorly drained soils here currently between 1mm and 10mm. With moderate amounts of rain forecast this week, soils look set to improve slightly with more well and moderately drained soils becoming trafficable. Some poorly drained soils in the south and east may improve by the end of the period too becoming trafficable while soils in the north and west will remain saturated or waterlogged.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
