East and south face growth limits as soils run dry

The week ahead will bring continued dry and sunny conditions for most parts of the country, with rainfall staying well below average for mid-August.

Met Éireann says sunshine amounts are likely to remain above normal nationwide, although showers are expected today and Tuesday, mainly in the south and southwest. Some of these may be heavy and thundery, but the overall picture remains one of a drier than normal pattern.

Mean air temperatures last week were 1 to 2 degrees above the seasonal average, and while a slight dip is forecast, values will remain higher than normal for the time of year. Soil temperatures are also running well above average, ranging between 16.8 and 20.9 degrees, or 3.2 to 5.5 degrees above the long-term norm. These elevated soil temperatures are expected to persist.

Drying conditions will be generally good over the coming days, though occasional showers in southern and southwestern counties may briefly hinder progress until later on Tuesday. After that, drying conditions are set to improve again and continue for much of the week. Spraying opportunities will also be generally favourable, with long dry intervals and light to moderate winds across most areas.

Soils remain dry and trafficable across the country, with soil moisture deficits currently ranging from 14mm in the north to 63mm in the south. The driest conditions are in Leinster and Munster. With mostly dry weather set to persist, little change is expected in soil moisture levels, though there may be a slight reduction in the southwest. Growth will become increasingly restricted as a result, particularly in the south and east, where deficits are greatest.