Forecast issued at: Sunday 20th September 2026 13:00
Rain
Rainfall amounts were generally close to or above normal over the past seven days ranging from 101% to 169% of the normal for most. However, rainfall amounts were lower near east and southeast coasts, with amounts between 63% and 84% of the normal. The highest accumulation of 33.2mm was recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal. The lowest accumulation of 9.1mm was recorded at Casement Airport, Co. Dublin. Over the next seven days, rainfall amounts will be above normal in the west and northwest and close to or below normal elsewhere. The driest conditions will be in the southeast.
Temperatures
Air temperatures were above normal nationwide over the past week, ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 degrees above average. Mean values ranged between 13.3 degrees at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo and 15.9 degrees at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare. Soil temperatures are several degrees higher than normal ranging between 1.9 degrees and 3.9 degrees above average. Soil temperatures ranged between 14.4 degrees in Malin Head, Co. Donegal and 17 degrees at Shannon Aiport, Co. Clare. Temperatures will fluctuate this week due to changeable conditions, but overall they are expected to be near or slightly higher than normal. Soil temperatures are expected to remain above average.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week were generally near or below normal for the time of year. The sunniest location was Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, with 29.1 hours of sunshine (107% of average) while Malin Head, Co. Donegal, recorded only 10.8 hours of sunshine hours (55% of average). With mixed and unsettled conditions at times over the coming week, sunshine amounts are likely to remain near or below average.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally good or moderate over today but they may deteriorate as due to increasing cloud cover through the afternoon and evening. Monday will have moderate to poor drying conditions with cloudier, more humid conditions along with some mist and drizzle. Tuesday will also have poor drying conditions due to cloud and outbreaks of rain and isolated showers. For the rest of the week, drying conditions will be moderate to poor, becoming poor from Thursday due to wet and blustery weather.
Spraying
There will some opportunities for spraying today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday) as it will be dry with minimal rainfall and light winds. There may be limited opportunities for spraying on Tuesday in the southeast.
Field Conditions
All soils away from the eastern and southeastern coasts are close to saturation with some poorly drained soils across the west, northwest and the far southwest are saturated and waterlogged. Soils are drier near east and southeast coasts with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) between 4 and 37mm. With changeable conditions in the coming week, SMDs away from the east and southeast are expected to reduce, becoming saturated or wtaerlogged.
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur from Sunday night 20th September until Wednesday morning 23rd September in parts of the south, west and northwest. There will be opportunities for spraying today (Sunday).
