Farmers face another unsettled spell of weather this week, with above average rainfall and limited chances for field work.

Mean air temperatures are expected to stay 1 to 2 degrees above normal, ranging between 11 and 14 degrees, while soil temperatures remain close to or above average in most parts of the country. However, conditions on the ground are set to worsen as rain dominates the forecast.

According to Met Éireann. rainfall totals over the next seven days are likely to come in above normal nationwide, with the heaviest falls expected in Atlantic coastal counties where up to two or three times the weekly average is forecast. The south and southeast will fare a little better, though totals there are still likely to be slightly above normal. Sunshine amounts will be generally below the seasonal average as unsettled conditions persist.

Drying conditions are set to be poor throughout the week due to frequent rain, leaving very limited opportunities for spraying. Field conditions remain challenging, with soils already saturated or waterlogged. Soil moisture deficits currently range from 5mm in well-drained soils to -10mm in poorly drained soils, and these deficits are expected to fall further, leading to increasingly saturated ground.

For many farmers, the week ahead will mean further delays to field work, particularly in areas worst affected by heavy rainfall.