
Mixed Weather on the Cards for National Ploughing Championships

Visitors to the National Ploughing Championships at Screggan, County Offaly, can expect a mix of conditions this week, with a mix of dry spells and rain, occasional fresh winds and soft underfoot ground set to feature throughout the three-day event.
The opening day on Tuesday will begin overcast but dry, with top temperatures around 10 °C in the morning, rising to 15 °C by afternoon. Winds will be moderate westerly, veering southerly and strengthening by late evening. Rain will extend from the southwest by evening, becoming widespread overnight into Wednesday morning.
Overnight rain will clear before dawn on Wednesday, leaving largely dry weather with occasional sunny breaks. However, soft ground conditions will make navigating the site more difficult. It will become very breezy through the afternoon in fresh to strong west-southwest winds. Temperatures will be 13-14 °C in the morning, rising to 16–18 °C by mid-afternoon.
The forecast for Thursday is less certain. Heavy showers in the southern half of the country early in the day are likely to merge into longer spells of rain across the south and midlands. At this stage, Thursday could prove rather wet at times, though winds will be much lighter than on the opening two days. A clearance to drier weather is likely during the afternoon. Temperatures will be around 11-12 °C in the morning, rising to 17–18 °C by mid-afternoon. Thursday’s forecast will be updated should the above outlook change in the interim.
Visitors are advised to plan for wet and muddy conditions, wear waterproof footwear and allow extra time for travel around the site.