Dry spell gives way to unsettled conditions from Tuesday

Ireland has experienced one of its driest weeks of the summer with some parts of the country recording no rainfall at all.

Met Éireann figures show that in the past seven days rainfall was well below average, ranging from 0 to 24 per cent of normal levels. It was completely dry at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, Oak Park, Co Carlow, and Malin Head, Co Donegal. The wettest spot was Knock Airport, Co Mayo, which recorded just 5.9mm.

The coming days will stay largely dry with occasional showers, but conditions are expected to turn more unsettled from Tuesday. Rainfall will increase nationwide, with coastal counties likely to see the heaviest amounts. Totals will be close to or above average for most regions.

Air temperatures over the past week were between 0.8 and 3.3 degrees above normal, ranging from 15.7 degrees in the north to 18.4 degrees in the southwest. Temperatures are set to ease slightly in the days ahead but will remain around average or up to 2 degrees higher. Soil temperatures are also above seasonal norms.

Sunshine levels were strong across much of the country, apart from the southwest. Malin Head recorded 56.4 hours, almost double the average, while Cork Airport saw just 21.3 hours, well below normal. Sunshine levels will dip slightly in the week ahead as cloud cover increases.