Shannon Driest Spot as Wet Weather Moves In

Rainfall has been running below average across the country over the past week, with Shannon Airport emerging as the driest location, according to Met Éireann.

Just 2.5mm of rain fell there, representing only 13 per cent of the usual amount. Valentia Observatory recorded the highest total at 15.55mm, still less than half of the average for this time of year.

Forecasters expect rainfall totals to rise over the coming week, with amounts trending above normal across much of the country. The south and southeast are likely to see totals closer to average.

Mean air temperatures were also below average during the past seven days, between 0.9 and 3.1 degrees lower than normal. Some air frost was recorded earlier in the week. Dublin Airport reported a mean temperature of 9.6 degrees, while Valentia reached 12.3 degrees. Conditions are expected to turn milder, with mean temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees forecast for the week ahead. Soil temperatures remain close to or slightly above average, ranging from 11.4 degrees at Dublin Airport to 13.6 degrees at Valentia Observatory.

Sunshine has been well above average in recent days. Cork Airport was the sunniest station, recording 57.4 hours, more than double the norm. However, sunshine totals are expected to dip below average in the coming week as more unsettled conditions develop.