Forecast issued at: Sunday 16th August 2026 13:00
Rain
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts have been well below average for most of the country, with the exception of western coastal fringes where rainfall amounts were near normal. It was driest in the east and southeast with no rainfall recorded at Oak Park, Co. Carlow. Wetter in the west with 22.2mm recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo (99% of average). In the week ahead, it will be more mixed with spells of rain and showers. Rainfall amounts will be close to or above average for most of the country as a result, with accumulations of up to 3 times the average possible in the north. However, near southern coasts, rainfall amounts will stay below normal.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures were above average nationwide, ranging from 15.8 degrees in the west to 19.1 degrees in the east. This is between 0.8 and 3.3 degrees above average. Mean soil temperatures have also been above average, ranging from 16.1 degrees in the northwest to 22.2 degrees in the south (1.9 to 5.8 degrees above average). After a warm day on Monday, it will turn cooler over the coming week with mean air temperatures decreasing to between normal and 2 degrees below normal. 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 120 and 200% of average for most areas. In the west and northwest sunshine amounts were between 61 and 89% of average. It was brightest in the southeast with 70.5 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. It was dullestin the west with 18.7 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 below average as a result.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate away from the west and north on Monday with humid but largely dry conditons. Drying will be poor in the west and north due to more frequent rain and drizzle. On Tuesday, drying conditions will improve moderate or good between showers. More widespread and heavier showers on Wednesday will lead to poor drying conditions once again.
Spraying
There will be some opportunities for spraying away from the west and north on Monday. There will be opportunities more widely on Tuesday between scattered showers, though occasionally fresh winds in the west may hinder spraying. Spraying opportunities will be more limited thereafter due to more frequent showers.
Field Conditions
There is restriction to growth in most soils away from the northwest with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) above 40mm. Soils are driest in the south and east where they are in near-drought or drought conditions with SMDs of 74 to 98mm. In contrast, soils in west Connacht and west Ulster are closer to saturation with SMDs there of -5 to +9mm. Over the coming week, with highest rainfall forecast in the northwest, SMDs there are likely to decrease here 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 Tuesday afternoon (18th August) in western and northern areas.
