Dry week gives way to wetter weather from Monday

Ireland has experienced an exceptionally dry week with rainfall amounts well below average, according to Met Éireann.

Most parts of the country recorded less than 2mm of rain in the past seven days, amounting to under 10 per cent of the usual levels for mid-August.

The dry spell will continue into the weekend with largely settled conditions and only occasional showers. However, the forecaster said the weather pattern will change from Monday, bringing more unsettled conditions and widespread rain. Rainfall totals are expected to rise above average across much of the country, though the north and northeast will remain relatively drier with below average amounts.

Temperatures have also been running high. Mean air temperatures last week were between 0.2 and 3 degrees above average, ranging from 15.4 degrees in the east to 18.2 degrees in the southwest. Soil temperatures were notably elevated at between 16.8 and 20.2 degrees, some 2.8 to 4.2 degrees higher than seasonal norms. Air temperatures will dip slightly in the coming days but will still remain close to or above average.

Sunshine levels have been strong in most areas. Malin Head in Co Donegal recorded 60.1 hours of sunshine, almost double the seasonal norm at 197 per cent of average. In contrast Valentia in Co Kerry registered only 20.1 hours, just 65 per cent of the norm. Looking ahead, cloudier conditions are expected to dominate with sunshine amounts likely to fall below average.