Farmers across Ireland are facing persistent challenges as heavy rainfall leaves soils saturated and waterlogged.

Well-drained soils are fully saturated, moderately drained soils are either saturated or waterlogged and poorly drained areas remain heavily waterlogged, according to Met Éireann. With showers and periods of rain expected throughout the coming week, there is little prospect of improvement in soil trafficability.

Spraying and other field work will be limited because breezy conditions and frequent showers reduce suitable windows for operations. There will be some brighter intervals and more frequent sunny spells between showers over the weekend and early next week.

Mean soil temperatures are above average by around one and a half to three degrees Celsius, ranging from 10.8 to 13 degrees. Air temperatures will gradually fall to between eight and 11 degrees which is normal or slightly below normal for late October.

Southern and eastern counties were the wettest over the past week while western and northwestern areas were relatively drier. Rainfall in the coming week is expected to be near or slightly above average across the country, prolonging difficult ground conditions for farmers.