June Begins with Unsettled Weather

As Ireland steps into June, the weather is taking a noticeably cooler and wetter turn following a week marked by widespread rainfall and fluctuating temperatures.

Temperatures Begin to Dip

In its latest farming forecast, Met Éireann says air temperatures over the past week hovered near or slightly above normal seasonal values, with average readings ranging from 11.9°C to 14.5°C. Soil temperatures were also unusually high for this time of year, sitting between 13.8°C and 16.2°C. However, that trend is set to reverse in the coming days.

Met Éireann forecasts a drop in temperatures across the country this week, with mean air temperatures expected to range from 11°C to 13°C — between 1°C and 3°C below average for early June. This cooler spell marks a noticeable shift as the country enters what is typically a warming period.

High rainfall totals in the Midlands

Rain has been a dominant feature of the past week, particularly in the midlands and north Munster, where some areas recorded rainfall amounts around 2.5 times the seasonal norm. Mullingar topped the rainfall charts with a weekly accumulation of 42.2mm. Elsewhere, most of the country also experienced above-average precipitation, except for parts of southern Leinster and Munster where rainfall was closer to normal.

Looking ahead, this unsettled pattern is expected to persist, with nationwide rainfall totals predicted to reach 1.5 to 2 times the usual amount for this time of year.

Cloudier Skies and Limited Sunshine

Sunshine was in short supply over the past week, with most regions experiencing below-normal levels. Casement Aerodrome saw the most sunshine with 40.4 hours recorded, while Belmullet was the dullest spot at just 26.5 hours. The outlook for the coming week suggests more of the same, with sunshine amounts likely to remain near or below average as showers and cloud cover dominate the forecast.

Agricultural Impact: Wet Fields and Poor Drying

The combination of persistent rain and cooler temperatures is making conditions difficult for farmers. Drying conditions will be limited despite occasional breezes, and opportunities for spraying will be scarce due to both rain and wind.

Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) currently range between +20mm and +50mm in most areas, though parts of the midlands and northwest are already near saturation. With further rain expected, soil saturation is likely to increase, particularly in the southwest, midlands, and northwest, raising concerns about waterlogged fields.