Waterlogged West: Shannon Bears Brunt of Heavy Rainfall

Met Éireann’s latest Farming Weather Report highlights the toll recent rainfall has taken on ground conditions nationwide, with western and northern areas facing particularly challenging field conditions after a wetter-than-normal week.

Rainfall totals reached up to 327% of the seasonal average, with the west bearing the brunt. Shannon Airport in Co. Clare recorded the highest rainfall at 83.2mm, while Ballyhaise in Co. Cavan saw the least at 27.1mm. The saturated conditions are now impacting land use in several counties.

“Moderately and poorly drained soils across the west and north are either near saturation or fully waterlogged,” the report noted, adding that soils along the Atlantic seaboard are particularly affected due to recent heavy downpours.

In contrast, soils in the east and midlands remain drier and more trafficable, with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) ranging from 25mm to 50mm depending on location and soil type. That gap is expected to widen in the coming days, with drier and more settled weather on the way—albeit interrupted by the odd scattered shower.

Despite the recent rain, temperatures remained above average, with mean air temperatures between 16.5°C and 17.9°C, up to 2.6°C above normal. Shannon Airport once again topped the list for warmest location, while Knock Airport in Co. Mayo recorded the coolest readings.

Sunshine was also in good supply, especially in the east, where totals hit up to 155% of normal. Western areas, however, remained cloudier.

Looking ahead, drying conditions will remain mostly poor, and spraying opportunities will be limited as unsettled spells continue—though the forecast suggests a gradual improvement in soil trafficability for eastern and central areas.