Forecast issued at: Tuesday 05th May 2026 13:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts for the last seven days were variable across the country. It was wetter than normal in parts of Munster and in parts of south Connacht, but drier than average elsewhere. There was only 0.2 mm of rainfall recorded at Casement aerodrome, while Cork airport received the most rainfall, with 50.8mm or 278% of average recorded. Conditions will be largely settled and mostly dry over the next couple of days, apart from a few scattered showers. However, there may be a little more in the way of precipitation later in the week onwards, and overall, for the next 7 days, rainfall amounts are expected to be above average across much of the east and north of the country, and below average in parts of the southwest.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past week have been above average across the country, ranging from 11.1 degrees over Ulster to 12.6 degrees in the midwest which is between 0.9 and 2.3 degrees above normal. Mean soil temperatures are well above normal, between 10.9 and 13.8 degrees. This is 2.6 to 4.2 degrees above average. It will be cooler over the coming week, with mean air temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius, which is one to three degrees below average. Soil temperatures will decrease but remain above normal.
Sunshine
Sunshine was close to normal across the country over the past week. Sunshine amounts ranged from 42.3 hours in Malin Head to 33.5 hours in Cork, which is between 106% and 83% of average. It will be a little duller over the coming week, with sunshine amounts likely to come in a bit below normal.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally moderate or poor.
Spraying
There will be good opportunities for spraying today and tomorrow, 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 4mm, 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. For the coming week, SMDs are expected to decrease a little, especially in parts of the east.
