Forecast issued at: Friday 14th August 2026 13:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts have been below average for most of the country, with the exception of western coastal fringes. Rainfall amounts ranged from less than 1mm in the south and southeast to 26.7mm on western coasts. For most areas rainfall was between 0% and 50% of average. However, rainfall ranged from 73% to 121% of average on west and northwest coasts. In the week ahead, there will be occasional showers and spells of rain. However, rainfall amounts will remain below average across most of the country. The west and northwest will be the exception with rainfall amounts expected to be close to or slightly above average there.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures were above average, ranging from 16 degrees at Belmullet, Co. Mayo, to 18.8 degrees at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin and Oak Park, Co. Carlow. This is between 1 and 3.3 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures have also been above average, ranging from 15.8 degrees in the northwest to 21.5 degrees in the south (1.4 to 4.4 degrees above average). Temperatures will return closer to average in the coming week, though will remain approximately 1 degree above average in some eastern and southern parts. Mean soil temperatures will remain above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week were generally above average away from the west and northwest, ranging between 123 and 222% of average for most areas. In the west and northwest sunshine amounts were between 62 and 82% of average. It was brightest in the southeast with 83.9 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. Western coastal areas were duller with 18.9 hours of sunshine recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo. In the next seven days, conditions will be more mixed with a good deal of cloud overall. Sunshine amounts will likely be close to or slightly below average as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will generally be moderate to good over the coming days with isolated showers and sunny spells for most. Drying conditions will deteriorate on Sunday and Monday with cloudier conditions and some rain and drizzle.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying on Saturday but rain and drizzle will limit spraying opportunities on Sunday. There will be some opportunities for spraying away from Atlantic coasts on Monday.
Field Conditions
There is restriction to growth in most soils away from the northwest with soil moisture deficits greater than 30mm. Soils are driest in the south and east where they are in near-drought or drought conditions with SMDs of 72 to 98mm. In contrast, soils in west Connacht and west Ulster are saturated or close to saturation with SMDs there of -5 to 6mm. Over the coming week, with highest rainfall forecast in the northwest, SMDs there are likely to decrease further with some poorly drained soils becoming waterlogged. Elsewhere, soil conditions will remain similar with near-drought or drought conditions persisting in the southeast.
Further Comments
A potato blight advisory is in effect. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur from Sunday morning (16th August) until Monday morning (17th August) in western and northwestern areas. There will be opportunities for spraying on Friday and Saturday, 14th and 15th August.
