Forecast issued at: Tuesday 16th July 2024 13:00
Rain
Over the past week, rainfall amounts were generally average or above in Leinster, south Munster and the midlands with rainfall totals ranging between 90% and 180% of average. It was much drier elsewhere with rainfall totals between 15% and 45% of normal. The wettest conditions were along the south coast with 27.6mm recorded at Cork Airport. It was considerably drier along western coasts with just 1.2mm recorded in Belmullet, Co. Mayo. The coming week is expected to be wetter than normal across the country with rainfall totals between 120% of average in the east and 300% of average in the west.
Temperatures
Mean air temperatures were generally 0.2 to 1.8 degrees below average over the last week, ranging from 13.5 degrees in the north to 15 degrees in the south and southwest. Soil temperatures are generally within a degree of the average, ranging between 14.3 degrees in the northwest and 17 degrees in the southeast. In the week ahead, mean air temperatures will generally be within a degree of average, ranging between 13 and 17 degrees. It will be warmest in the east and coolest in the west. Soil temperatures will remain near normal.
Sunshine
In the past week, sunshine amounts have been slightly below average for most areas, with the exception of southwest coasts. It was brightest in the southwest with 38.8 hours of sunshine recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry (121% of average). The dullest conditions were in east Leinster with 12.8 hours of sunshine recorded at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin (37% of average). While there will be some spells of sunshine in the week ahead, there will be showers or rain most days also. As a result, sunshine amounts are likely to be slightly below average.
Drying Conditions
Drying conditions will be moderate or good at first on Wednesday but will deteriorate from Wednesday later onwards with spells of rain and often light to moderate winds leading to poor drying on Wednesday evening and Thursday. Drying conditions will briefly improve on Friday with a good deal of dry weather expected.
Spraying
There will be opportunities for spraying at first on Wednesday, especially in eastern areas. Otherwise, spraying opportunities will be limited due to spells of rain and showers, though there will be likely be further opportunities for spraying on Friday.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) across all soil types are currently between 20 and 58mm with some restriction to growth. Over the coming week, more unsettled conditions will lead to a reduction in SMDs for most areas. SMDs will decrease to between 15 and 50mm across Munster, south Connacht and east Leinster. Elsewhere soils will be near saturation, with potential for waterlogged soils in the northwest.
Further Comments
Conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will be present across parts of Munster and south Leinster from Wednesday night until Friday morning, and will develop in Connacht, west Ulster and the north midlands on Thursday night and Friday. There will be opportunities for spraying on Tuesday and early on Wednesday. Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
