South-East Sees Near-Complete Dry Spell

Much of Ireland experienced a notably dry week, with the south-east standing out as the driest region in the country, according to the latest figures from Met Éireann.

Johnstown Castle in Co. Wexford recorded just 0.4mm of rainfall over the past seven days—barely 2% of the long-term average. It was the lowest total nationwide, underscoring a near-complete dry spell across the south-east. Elsewhere, Roches Point in Co. Cork received the highest weekly total at just 13.1mm, still only 83% of normal levels.

Overall, conditions were drier or much drier than average across all parts of the country, with many stations recording less than 20% of typical weekly rainfall.

Looking ahead, Met Éireann says the weather will be mixed in the days to come. Some rain, drizzle and showers are expected, but a good deal of dry weather is likely too—particularly from Thursday afternoon through to Saturday evening. Rainfall over the coming week is forecast to remain below normal in the south and east, with totals of just 2mm to 14mm predicted for much of Munster and Leinster. That equates to between 12% and 85% of typical rainfall, with the driest conditions again likely along the south coast.

In contrast, the north and west are expected to see significantly more rain, with totals ranging from 15mm to 50mm—up to 240% of normal in the wettest parts of the west.

Temperatures have also remained slightly above average. Mean air temperatures for the past week ranged from 15.0 to 17.2°C, around 0.5 to 1.5 degrees higher than normal. Soil temperatures were even more elevated, between 1 and 3.2 degrees above normal, ranging from 16.1 to 19.1°C.

The outlook for the coming week shows similar temperature patterns, with air temperatures expected to stay around average or up to 1 degree above, and soil temperatures continuing to run higher than usual.

Sunshine levels, however, have been below par. It was particularly dull in parts of the west and north, with just 9.5 hours of sunshine at Ireland West Airport in Co. Mayo and 10.2 hours at Malin Head—only 33% of normal values. Cork Airport recorded the sunniest conditions with 29.4 hours, equivalent to 79% of average.

Met Éireann suggests sunshine levels for the coming week are likely to remain near or slightly below normal, in keeping with the mixed conditions expected.