Forecast issued at: Sunday 09th August 2026 15:00
Rain
Over the last seven days, rainfall amounts have varied across the country, with lower than average amounts recorded in the east (17% to 91%), and above average further west and north (81% to 305%). The highest accumulation was recorded was at Mullingar with 55.9mm, while the lowest was recorded at Oak Park., Co Carlow with only 2.6mm. This week high pressure moves in bringing generally dry conditions with just occasional rain, most of which will be to the northwest. Rainfall amounts are expected to generally forecast to be below or at average, ranging between 14% to 112% of average (1 to 29mm).
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures have generally been within a degree of average for much of the country. It was warmest in the south and east by up to 1.6 degree above average, and it was coolest in the northwest by 0.2 degrees below average. Mean air temperatures ranged from 14.3 degrees at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo, and 17.1 degrees at both Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin, and Oak Park, Co. Carlow. For the next seven days, mean air temperatures are forecast to be warmer than average by 1 to 3 degrees. Mean soil temperatures were above average during the past week by 1 and 3 degrees, ranging from 15.5 to 19.3 degrees.
Sunshine
Sunshine amounts were close to or above average over the past week, ranging between 38 to 138% of average. Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, recorded the most sunshine hours with 43.6 hours. It was dullest in Malin Head, Co. Donegal, with 11.7 hours of sunshine. With a mix of cloud and sunshine forecast over the coming week, sunshine amounts are expected to remain close to or slightly above average.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be generally good across southern counties with rain and drizzle affecting parts of the north, west and midlands. The coming week will be generally settled with only occasional outbreaks of rain and drizzle, the best drying opportunities will be in the southeast.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying today, mostly over the south and southeast. Elsewhere opportunities will be more limited as rain and drizzle spreads from the northwest.
Field Conditions
Soils are driest in the southeast with Soil Moisture Deficits (SMDs) ranging from 2 to 91mm leading to near drought or drought conditions. SMDs are lowest in the northwest ranging from 5mm in well drained soils, to -2mm in poorly drained soils, where all soil types are close to saturation or waterlogged. Though there will be some rain and showers over the coming week, rainfall amounts are forecast to be below average which will result in little change to SMDs. To the northwest SMDs will likely decrease with poor drained soils becoming waterlogged (-8 to -10mm).
Further Comments
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur from Saturday evening (8th August) until Sunday afternoon (9th August) in Ulster, Connacht, and north and west Munster.
