Forecast issued at: Sunday 26th April 2026 12:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts for the last 7 days were well below average across the country. All places recorded less than 3mm of rain. The most rainfall was recorded at Claremorris where 2.8mm (16% of average) fell. With high pressure expected to dominate our weather up until mid-week, rainfall amounts are expected to be significantly below average across the country until then. However, current indications suggest that there is the chance of some rain or showers developing from Thursday onwards.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures during the past 7 days ranged from 0.8 degrees below average to 2.2 degrees above average. The lowest mean temperature was 8.1 degrees recorded at Dublin Airport, (0.8 degrees below average). The highest temperature was 12.1 degrees recorded both at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry and Shannon airport (around 2 degrees above average). For the coming week, mean air temperatures are expected to be around 10 or 11 degrees around the country, which is 1 or 2 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures were above average across the country during the past week by between 1.7 degrees and 3.2 degrees, and would be expected to remain above average for the coming week.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts during the past week ranged from 66% to 212% of average. The most sunshine was recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal where there were 80 hours, or 212% of average. In contrast, only 24.7 hours, or 66% of average, were recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co, Kerry. With plenty of sunshine forecast for the next few days at least, sunshine amounts would be expected to be above average across the country.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will good in sunshine over the coming days especially on Tuesday and Wednesday in an easterly airflow. Conditions are likely to disimprove from Thursday onwards as more unsettled conditions develop.
Spraying
There will be plenty of spraying opportunities over the coming days. Is looks set to be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells with light to moderate breezes. Wednesday may prove to be too breezy though, and there is the potential for more unsettled weather from Thursday of next week.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) for moderately and well drained soils currently range from 17mm in parts of the midlands to 31mm in parts of the east. SMDs for poorly drained soils range from 6mm in parts of the midlands to 28mm in parts of the east. With mostly dry conditions forecast for the next few days, SMDs are expected to significantly increase, leading to an increase in trafficability, for all soil types across the country, ranging from around 15mm up to 35mm in parts of the east.
Further Comments
A condition orange high fire risk has been issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine until 12pm on 27th of April. Arising from current and forecast weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
