Forecast issued at: Wednesday 20th November 2024 14:00
Rain
With high pressure dominating for most of the past week, rainfall amounts were well below average in most areas apart from the east and northeast. Driest in the west with 11.4mm recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo (36% of normal) and wettest in the east with to 32.6mm recorded at Dublin Airport (192% of normal). Outbreaks of heavy rain are expected across the south and west tonight with some falls of sleet and snow expected and scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow will mainly affect northern and western parts. Milder weather will make a return over the weekend but it will turn very wet and windy, so the coming week will likely see 2 to over 3 times the average rainfall.
Temperatures
Over the past seven days, mean air temperatures ranged between 7.0 and 10.3 degrees which is within a degree of normal. Mildest in the west and southwest. Mean soil temperatures are generally above average for the time of year, ranging from 8.1 degrees in the east to 11.5 degrees in the southwest (1.5 to 3.4 degrees above normal). Cold conditions will persist through the rest of the working week with sharp frosts developing during the nights. Milder air will then move in from the southwest towards the weekend. Overall, mean air temperatures will likely be between 6 and 11 degrees which is a degree below average for most. Soil temperatures will decrease.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts over the past week have been near or above average for southern parts with 72% to 118% of normal amounts recorded, highest at Cork Airport with 18.9 hours. Stations elsewhere were much duller with between 2.5 to 3.6 hours recorded (15 to 30% of the average), dullest at Dublin Airport with 2.5 hours recorded. Changeable conditions expected over the coming week, with spells of rain and showers but with some sunshine at times too, so sunshine amounts are expected to be near or slightly below average overall.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be poor due to cold conditions initially and with wet weather over the weekend.
Spraying
There will be good spraying conditions at times over the coming days away from rain and showers. Early on Friday currently looks to be the best opportunity.
Field Conditions
Well and moderately drained soils are currently saturated or waterlogged with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of -10 to 0mm. There'll be limited drying in the coming days and with rain and showers through the week.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
