Farm Weather

Rainfall amounts were mostly below normal over the past seven days, especially in the south and east. Only one station at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare recorded above average amounts with 22.9mm (125% of normal). Elsewhere, amounts ranged between 3mm at Roche's Point, Co. Cork (15% of normal) to 18.2mm at Malin Head, Co. Donegal (74% of normal). More unsettled conditions are expected over the coming week with 1 or 2 times the average amounts expected generally, driest in the southeast. However, parts of the west and northwest may receive more. Air temperatures were above normal nationwide over the past week, ranging from 13.3 degrees at Knock/Ireland West Airport, Co. Mayo to 15.6 degrees at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare. This equates to between 0.6 and 2.1 degrees above average with the greatest deviation from normal in the east of the country. Mean soil temperatures have also been above normal, ranging between 14 and 16.6 degrees (1.7 and 3.9 degrees above the average). With cooler and fresher conditions extending from the northwest through today (Tuesday) and tonight, temperatures will fall closer to average. Overall, mean air temperatures will likely range between 12 and 15 degrees. Mean soil temperatures will decrease but will continue above normal. Sunshine amounts over the past week varied over the country. It was duller than average in parts of the north, west and far southwest. Elsewhere, sunshine amounts were closer to or above normal. Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry recorded the least with just 13.6 hours (52% of its average) while Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford recorded the most with 34 hours (114% of its average). Over the coming week, while there will be good sunny spells at times, mixed conditions will likely lead to below average sunshine amounts. Mixed or unsettled conditions over the coming week will lead to mostly moderate or poor drying conditions. The best opportunities will be on Wednesday after overnight rain clears eastwards in the morning and away from isolated showers though light winds will limit drying. The best opportunities for spraying over the coming week will be tomorrow (Wednesday) after overnight rain clears eastwards and away from isolated showers. Opportunities will then become more limited. Soils for much of Leinster and in Munster away from the west of the province have soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of between 5 and 40mm generally, highest in the east. Elsewhere soils are saturated or close to it while some poorly drained soils in the northwest are close to waterlogged. With above average rainfall expected, especially over the northwestern half of the country, most soils in those areas will become saturated while poorly drained soils will be saturated or waterlogged. Further south and east, while there will be some flucuations, SMDs are not expected to vary much. Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur until Wednesday afternoon (23rd September) in parts of the south, west and northwest. There is the likelihood of conditions returning to the northwest and west from Saturday morning (26th September) to Sunday afternoon (27th September). There will be opportunities for spraying on Wednesday.