Rainfall accumulations for the past seven days were unusually below average for the west and north-west but near average or above elsewhere. Rainfall totals ranged between 20% and 263% of average.

It was driest in the west with 6.7mm recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo, according to Met Éireann. Southern and eastern coasts were the wettest regions with 58.7mm recorded at Cork Airport and 184% of average.

Showers and rain will affect the country most days in the coming week, with rainfall amounts likely to be close to or above average as a result. However, some regions, particularly southern coastal regions, may be slightly drier than normal.

Temperatures above average

Mean air temperatures were above average over the past week, ranging from 10.9 to 13.9 degrees, which is between 0.2 and 2.2 degrees above average. It was warmest in the south and coolest in the northwest. Temperatures will decrease as this week progresses, with mean air temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 degrees, which is 2 or 3 degrees below normal. Some grass frost is possible later in the week. Soil temperatures will also decrease slightly.

Sunshine totals well below normal

It was much duller than average over the past seven days, with sunshine amounts between 28% and 58% of average. It was dullest along southern and eastern coasts with just 6.4 hours of sunshine recorded at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford and Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin. Marginally brighter along western coasts with 11.2 hours of sunshine recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo. While conditions will be generally unsettled in the week ahead, there will be more frequent sunny spells than of late. As a result, sunshine amounts will increase closer to normal.