County-Antrim-1200x675 East and South Fields Feeling the Drought — County Antrim

Soil temperatures are running well above average, between 16.9 and 20.6 degrees, keeping growth strong.

According to Met Éireann, air temperatures will ease slightly over the week but remain around average or up to 2 degrees above. Soil warmth will continue to support grass and crop growth.

Early in the week there will be some sunny spells, but cloud will increase and overall sunshine will be near or just below normal.

There will be good windows for spraying towards the end of the week and over the weekend. Conditions will be mostly dry with light to moderate winds. From Tuesday onward, spraying will be more difficult due to wetter, unsettled weather.

All soils are currently dry and trafficable, with deficits from 12mm to 66mm. The driest soils are in the east and south, where grass growth is restricted. Soil conditions are unlikely to change much over the next seven days, though a slight improvement may occur on Tuesday and Wednesday as weather becomes more unsettled.