Forecast issued at: Saturday 19th April 2025 13:00
Rain
It has been wetter than normal over the past seven days right across the country, indeed much wetter than normal in many areas, with heavy rain falling countrywide on Good Friday. There's been twice the average of rain in many western areas, and between three and four times the average further east. Rainfall totals this past week have ranged from 23.7mm or 140% of normal in Belmullet, Co. Mayo to 57.9mm in Ballyhaise, Cavan, which equates to 363% of normal. Unsettled conditions are expected to continue for this long Easter weekend and early next week. Signals are for improving conditions towards midweek next week. Overall, rainfall amounts will likely be around normal in many parts of the country this coming week, though are likely to be between two and three times the average in parts of Munster. Rainfall totals of around 10mm are forecast for parts of the east but in general between 10 and 25mm are expected, and up to between 30 and 55mm in parts of Munster, highest in the south.
Temperatures
Air temperatures were generally around average to around 1.5 degrees below normal over the past week, with mean air temperatures ranging from 6.6 degrees in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath to 9.2 degrees in Roches Point, Co. Cork. Soil temperatures are between 1.3 and 2.6 degrees above normal, ranging from 8.7 to 11.3 degrees. This coming week will initially see temperatures close to average but an increase in temperatures is likely towards midweek next week. Overall, mean air temperatures will likely range from 9 to 11 degrees which is 1 or 2 degrees above normal. Soil temperatures are expected to remain above normal.
Sunshine
Over the past week, eastern and southeastern parts had lower than average amounts of sunshine, with Dublin Airport getting the least, with 21.6 hours recorded (59% of its average). Elsewhere, sunshine amounts were around average to a little above, ranging from 114 to 140% of normal, highest at Shannon airport, Co. Clare, with 50.1 hours. Sunshine amounts will be below normal initially this week but will improve a little on Monday, with a better improvement through midweek.
Drying Conditions
While drying conditions will be moderate in the east on Sunday, they'll generally be poor through the Easter period and early next week. Towards midweek next week, conditions will improve.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will also be very limited, but some opportunities will occur in the east on Sunday, with more opportunities then towards midweek next week.
Field Conditions
SMDs have decreased significantly in the last 24 hours and will continue to decrease further over the Easter weekend, with many poorly and moderately drained soils becoming saturated or close to it and with some poorly drained soils becoming waterlogged. Some well drained soils will come close to saturation too, especially further east. Drier conditions developing towards midweek next week will allow for some recovery in the soils.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
