Forecast issued at: Monday 04th May 2026 14:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts for the last seven days were well below average for most areas, generally ranging between 0mm and 14.4mm (0% to 88% of average). However, southern areas and parts of the midlands and west were wetter, with rainfall amounts of between one and three times the average recorded, highest in the south. There wasn't any rainfall recorded at Casement aerodrome, while Cork airport received the most rainfall, with 50.7mm or 278% of average recorded. Conditions will be largely settled and mostly dry over the coming days, apart from a few scattered showers. However, there may be a little more in the way of precipitation later in the week and to start the weekend. Overall though, rainfall amounts are expected to be below average across the country, with just between 1mm and 15mm forecast.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week have been above average across the country, ranging from 10.9 degrees in the south midlands to 12.6 degrees in the midwest which is between 1.2 and 2.5 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures are well above normal, between 10.9 and 13.9 degrees. This is 2.5 to 4.2 degrees above average. It will be cooler over the coming week, with mean air temperatures falling to between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius, which is one or two degrees below average. Soil temperatures will decrease but remain above normal.
Sunshine
It was close to or generally sunnier than average across the country over the past week. Sunshine amounts ranged from 38.4 hours in the south to 50.3 hours in the southwest, which is between 95% and 129% of average. It will be a little duller over the coming week, with sunshine amounts likely to come in close to or a bit below normal.
Drying Conditions
While there'll be a good deal of dry weather this week, especially over the next few days, drying will likely only be moderate due to cooler temperatures and light winds.
Spraying
There will be good opportunities for spraying over the coming days, as winds will be light and there'll be little in the way of precipitation, with just a few scattered showers forecast. Opportunities for spraying will reduce later in the week.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for most soils generally range between 10mm and 43mm, driest in the east. However, soils are saturated or waterlogged near southern coasts and in the south midlands with SMDs of between 0 and -10mm, wettest along the south coast. With drier than average conditions forecast for the coming week, SMDs are expected to increase across all soils, with continued improvement in trafficability, with only poorly drained soils near southern coasts close to saturation.
