Forecast issued at: Sunday 26th July 2026 12:00
Rain
There has been very little rainfall during the past seven days with most of the country recording less than 20% of their average rainfall amount for this time of year. Malin Head, Co. Donegal, was the exception with 11.3mm recorded over the past week (60% of average). It was generally driest in Munster and Leinster with many stations recording less than 1mm and some stations recording no rainfall. With more unsettled conditions forecast for the coming seven days, rainfall amounts will increase. However, amounts in most areas will still be below average (typically less than 50% of average) with less than 11mm forecast, and amounts as low as 2mm (just 19% of average) forecast for the southeast. The exception is parts of the northwest and west where up to 31mm or approximately 150% of average is expected.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures over the past seven days were close to or above average. It was warmest in the southwest with a mean air temperature of 18.1 degrees recorded at Cork Airport, which is 2.8 degrees above average for the time of year. The coolest mean air temperature was recorded in the north with 15.2 degrees at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (0.3 degrees above average). Mean air temperatures are forecast to be close to average for much of the country over the coming week, with the exception of temperatures in the east and south which are forecast to be a degree or two warmer than average. Mean air temperatures will range from 14 to 17 degrees. Mean soil temperatures were also above average over the past seven days by between 1.7 and 6.1 degrees and ranging from 16.8 in the north to 22.5 degrees in the south. They are expected to stay above average for the coming week.
Sunshine
Away from the northwest and north, sunshine amounts were well above average during the past seven days. The most sunshine was recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry where there was 72.8 hours which is 232% of average. In contrast, it was cloudier than average at Malin Head, Co. Donegal with just 19.9 hours of sunshine or 65% of average. With plenty of cloud and just limited sunny spells forecast for the coming week, sunshine amounts are expected to fall below average.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will deteoriate over the coming days due to increased precipitation, particularly in the west and north. Humidity levels are also expected to increase. The best drying conditions will be closer to the southeast where it will be drier. Moderate to fresh westerly winds will also help.
Spraying
Spraying opportunities will become more limited over the coming days due to forecast rain and drizzle and breezier conditions developing. The best opportunities will be closer to the southeast where it will be drier.
Field Conditions
All areas are currently experiencing restriction to growth, with near drought conditions across much of the southern half of the country. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) currently range from 26mm in the north to 90mm in the southeast. While forecast rainfall will reduce SMDs in the north by approximately 10mm over the coming seven days, rainfall totals further south are expected to be low which will result in little change to SMDs over the coming week with a chance of SMDs increasing slightly in places.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will develop in parts of the north and Atlantic coastal counties on Sunday 26th of July, extending to Connacht, Ulster, north Leinster and north and west Munster on Monday 27th of July. A condition orange high fire risk has been issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine until 12 noon on Wednesday 29th July. Arising from current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where flammable vegetation such as dead grasses and heather and gorse exist. There is a continued risk of underground peat fires on bogs where fires occur and an increased availability of larger fuel types across all land types, with increased difficulty of fire suppression.
