Farmers warned of growth slowdown

Irish farmers are facing increasingly dry ground conditions, with soil moisture deficits now as high as 65mm in parts of the south and southeast, according to Met Éireann.

The forecaster said all soils remain dry and trafficable, with the driest conditions in Leinster and Munster. Deficits range from 5mm in the north to 65mm in the south and southeast, and are expected to remain largely unchanged over the coming week. In north Leinster, deficits may rise slightly, while in the northwest they could ease a little. Growth is likely to become increasingly restricted, particularly in the south and east, if the dry spell continues.

Drying conditions will generally be good in the days ahead, though occasional showers may slow the process, especially today in the midlands and east. Spraying opportunities will be plentiful, apart from periods of showers, with long dry intervals and light to moderate winds expected.

Met Éireann said mean air temperatures over the coming week will stay 1 to 3 degrees above normal, ranging between the mid and high teens, with mean soil temperatures also above average at between 16.6 and 19 degrees.

WeatherÉire’s latest long-range outlook indicates that much of Ireland will remain under warm and settled conditions through the week, with high pressure bringing extended sunny spells. Scattered thundery showers are forecast at times, posing the risk of local downpours. Daytime temperatures will widely reach the mid to high twenties in places before easing back towards average later next week as cooler air moves in from the northwest.