Forecast issued at: Tuesday 12th November 2024 16:00
Rain
With high pressure dominating, rainfall totals over the last 7 days have been well below normal nationwide. However, there were some moderate rainfall totals recorded in the southwest of the country. The driest location in Ireland was in Malin Head in County Donegal where just 0.5mm was recorded. The wettest location was in Valentia in County Kerry where 24.4mm was recorded (62% of the weekly average). High pressure will remain the dominant feature of the weather for much of the rest of this week, before becoming a little more unsettled over the weekend. Rainfall figures are still expected to be well below average in most parts but perhaps above average in the north. Rainfall totals of just 4mm are forecast in parts of the east and south with up to 23mm in the northwest, equating to between 13% and 73% of average. In the north, however, rainfall amounts could be as high as 40mm or 180% of average.
Temperatures
It has been significantly milder than normal over the last 7 days with temperatures between 2.9 and 4 degrees above the climatological average, ranging from 10.8 to 13.9 degrees Celsius. It was mildest at Valentia in Country Kerry with a mean temperature of 13.9 degrees (4 degrees above normal). With the distinct lack of frost, soil temperatures are also running well above normal by between 3.3 and 5.2 degrees. Temperatures will return to more seasonal values over the next 7 days with mean air temperatures forecast to range from around 7 to 10 degrees. Soil temperatures are also expected to decrease.
Sunshine
The past week has generally been dull compared to normal owing to stubborn anticyclonic gloom, although sunshine returned from the north through Sunday. Southern areas saw the least amount of sunshine with just 1.8 hours of sunshine recorded at Cork Airport (10% of average). Northern and northwestern areas recorded more sunshine with 18.3 hours of sunshine recorded at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (137% of average). There has been a bit more sunshine over the last couple of day but it looks set to become cloudier again from tomorrow, Wednesday. The next 7 days are likely to bring near or below average levels of sunshine overall.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions are and will continue to be relatively poor owing to the time of year.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying until Saturday, outside of patchy rain and drizzle.
Field Conditions
Well drained and most moderately drained soils are trafficable in most parts of the country at present with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of 0 to 7mm. However, most poorly drained soils are saturated with some areas of the south and southwest waterlogged. There'll be limited drying in the coming days and with some rainfall next weekend, some deterioration in soil conditions is forecast. More poorly drained soils will become waterlogged, while some moderately and well drained soils will become saturated.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
