Forecast issued at: Tuesday 06th January 2026 15:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts have generally been well below average nationwide. Amounts were a little higher in the north and parts of the west, with between 30 and 83% of average recorded. Malin Head, Co. Donegal received the highest, where 25.1 mm was recorded. However less than 20% of average amounts were recorded elsewhere, with Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford staying completely dry. Conditions will be more mixed for the week head. Overall, rainfall amounts will likely be around or slightly below normal for much of the west, midlands and south, but there'll be between one and two times the average further to the east and in west Munster.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were also well below average nationwide over the past week, ranging from 0.9 degrees at Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan to 4.9 degrees at Bellmullet, Co. Mayo. This equates to between 1.6 and 4.2 degrees below average for the time of year. Mean soil temperatures have been close to or below normal, ranging from 2.3 to 5.3 degrees. It'll become less cold from Tuesday. Overall, mean air temperatures will likely be around normal for Atlantic coastal areas, with mean air values of between 6 and 9 degrees Celsius. However, it'll be colder than normal elsewhere, with mean air temperatures expected to be 1 or 2 degrees below normal, with values ranging from 2 to 5 degrees Celsius expected. Mean soil temperatures will decrease further.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts varied across the country through the past week. Northern and western parts recorded near average values with Malin Head recording 8.7 hours (93% of its average). However most other areas received around twice the average amount of sunshine. Indeed Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, received 31.3 hours of sunshine, equating to 265% of average. Mixed conditions over the week ahead will likely lead to
near or below normal sunshine amounts.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be poor for the coming week with more unsettled weather and it'll be cold too, especially further to the east.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will be limited for the week ahead due to mixed and more unsettled conditions.
Field Conditions
Most well and moderately drained soils have soil moisture deficits ranging from 0mm in the north-west to 8mm in the south and east. Some moderately drained soils in the north-west are a little wetter. Poorly drained soils are generally saturated, but are closer to being waterlogged in the northwest. There'll be a steady deterioration in soil conditions over the coming week, with poorly and moderately drained soils becoming saturated or waterlogged, and with many well drained soils becoming saturated too.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
