Absolute Drought conditions to end by Sunday, remaining warm, mostly dry

So we are on the cusp of an interruption to the very warm or hot and dry cactus growing conditions that have prevailed for the last few weeks at least for a few days.

Many places won't see absolute drought conditions end until the second half of the weekend (some tomorrow) when a band of persistent, allbeit, light to moderate rain moves across the country from the Atlantic.

While technically the absolute drought will end, though welcome, there is unlikely to be any significant rainfall and certainly not enough to remotely replenish lost resources either in the soil or in reservoirs and rivers.

The soil moisture deficits in the east and southeast are approaching nearly 100mm at this stage. That is a lot to make up and we certainly won't be making much inroads there.


Between now and Sunday:

Wednesday:

Patchy light to moderate rainfall in the north and east, mainly dry elsewhere, some showers further south. Warm, top temperatures 22 - 23c in the south where there will be pleasant sunshine. 16 - 19c elsewhere, coolest on coasts.

Thursday:

Mainly dry, isolated patchy rain and drizzle. Some sunshine. Top temperatures 22 - 24c.

Friday:

Dry day. Warm and mostly sunny. 22 - 24c max temperatures. Warmest in the east and south. 17 - 20c elsewhere.

Saturday:

Warm or very warm. Dry. Top temperatures in the south and east. 22 - 25c.

Rainfall extent

Still it's uncertain the actual extent of rainfall over the weekend. Right now it looks light or moderate intensity but patchy (widespread and more persistent for Sunday). Most models would appear to indicate 5 - 15 mm for most over the next 10 days which is small amounts.

Some signs too that things will settle down again for the following week.

Still good by the standards of your average Irish summer and the temperatures remaining good.


Possible warnings/hazards:

Drought conditions, Level: Yellow