Drought/Low Rainfall Watch - Summer 2018

Oneiric 3 · 26-06-2018 9:27pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

I'm struggling to remember when it rained here at Casement in the last 7 days...

From Met Éireann for the 20th:

The day before reported a 0.1mm (probably from dew or fog) bringing the total up to 1.5mm for the period.

Artane2002 · 26-06-2018 9:30pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

I'm struggling to remember when it rained here at Casement in the last 7 days...

I remember a wet morning here in D5 on the 20th so it could be that.

EDIT: Yep, it was the 20th as confirmed by Oneiric 3

Gaoth Laidir · 26-06-2018 9:33pm

Artane2002 wrote: »

I remember a wet morning here in D5 on the 20th so it could be that.

EDIT: Yep, it was the 20th as confirmed by Oneiric 3

Ah yes, I remember now coming out to a wet car one morning alright.

thomasj · 26-06-2018 10:25pm

Netweather calling showers-moderate rain for Dublin on Sunday.

Time will tell how accurate and that's subject to change .

Mobhi1 · 26-06-2018 10:31pm

Met Éireann also - There's a signal for rain later in the day(Saturday) or in to the night, with rain or showers likely for Sunday. The country in general.

hinault · 27-06-2018 1:13pm

Last few days I've been deliberately harvesting used-used water to hydrate the grass and plants in the garden.

Simple things like filing a basin of water to clean cutlery, cups, plates etc. Instead of pouring the used water down the drain, use it to water plants and grass in your garden instead.

pauldry · 27-06-2018 1:26pm

Even the long grass is dying now:(

Not that I care but poor farmers and livestock

MJohnston · 27-06-2018 1:28pm

pauldry wrote: »

Even the long grass is dying now:(

Not that I care but poor farmers and livestock

Ha, you might want to reword your post slightly!

Gaoth Laidir · 27-06-2018 1:53pm

pauldry wrote: »

Even the long grass is dying now:(

Not that I care but poor farmers and livestock

From Met Éireann's Farming outlook this morning. The poor spuds...

Field Conditions

The land is very solid at the moment. Soil moisture deficits are over 60 mm across the east, south and a good deal of the midlands; in the north and northwest there around 30mm. Grass growth is practical non-existent and the potato crop can only survive with the intervention of artifical watering. The expected rainfall at the weekend may bring some relief.

sryanbruen · 27-06-2018 5:09pm

Sunshine totals (hours) for Irish stations from the 21st-26th June 2018.

Valentia Observatory is in first place now with Shannon Airport in second place.

A good enough sunny day again in general yesterday once the cloud cleared.

Station|21 Jun|22 Jun|23 Jun|24 Jun|25 Jun|26 Jun|Total
Belmullet|12.7|13.6|14.2|15.8|14.0|11.2|81.5
Casement Aerodrome|14.1|15.8|13.4|14.8|10.7|9.8|78.6
Cork Airport|13.2|15.7|14.8|14.9|11.7|11.8|82.1
Dublin Airport|12.9|15.6|14.4|15.6|12.5|11.3|82.3
Gurteen|8.1|14.7|15.5|15.9|11.0|12.2|77.4
Johnstown Castle|2.9|15.8|15.5|5.6|14.0|11.6|65.4
Knock Airport|10.8|10.9|13.7|16.0|12.6|10.7|74.7
Malin Head|12.7|10.9|12.6|15.2|14.8|8.4|74.6
Shannon Airport|13.3|15.1|15.6|15.2|10.5|13.3|83.0
Valentia Observatory|12.3|15.3|15.5|15.5|11.1|14.5|84.2

Data comes from Met Éireann.

SleetAndSnow · 27-06-2018 6:40pm

In Cork this is what the grass looks like in Some areas, Totally dried up and brown.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VRVr8mEX29NBF65R6

In most areas its like this, a mixture of yellow and pale green. Been a while since we had rain. (Not that im complaining!)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7W7QkoUdQvBusMue7

(Sorry could only get clickable links for the images)

Oneiric 3 · 27-06-2018 6:51pm

SleetAndSnow wrote: »

In Cork this is what the grass looks like in Some areas, Totally dried up and brown.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VRVr8mEX29NBF65R6

In most areas its like this, a mixture of yellow and pale green. Been a while since we had rain. (Not that im complaining!)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7W7QkoUdQvBusMue7

(Sorry could only get clickable links for the images)

Beginning to look serious down there SleetAndSnow.

Gonzo · 27-06-2018 10:01pm

It's a similar picture in Meath and Dublin. Today I journeyed from Dunshaughlin to Dublin city Centre and the majority of the fields, grass areas and areas beside footpaths look like straw rather than grass. From Clonee to Cabra is particularly bad with lots of brown fields and grass scrub land. Very little green grass left anywhere.

sryanbruen · 27-06-2018 10:36pm

This is how my grass looks.

Bsal · 27-06-2018 11:01pm

Slightly off topic, I see the grass pollen forecast is very high from Met Eireann at the moment, surely the grass isn't producing much if any pollen with it being mostly dead around the country. I am a grass pollen sufferer and noticed since Monday that I'm not being affected much by it.

Donegal Storm · 27-06-2018 11:11pm

Noticed today that the grass is all 'crispy' as I walked on it, almost like walking on frosty grass.

All the flowers planted as part of a street works upgrade a few months ago are dead as well, don't see why the council couldn't pay a few grass cutters to go around watering when they're clearly not going to be doing any cutting for the next while

Artane2002 · 27-06-2018 11:15pm

Donegal Storm wrote: »

Noticed today that the grass is all 'crispy' as I walked on it, almost like walking on frosty grass.

All the flowers planted as part of a street works upgrade a few months ago are dead as well, don't see why the council couldn't pay a few grass cutters to go around watering when they're clearly not going to be doing any cutting for the next while

I've also noticed the crunchy sound when walking on the grass. It reminds me of the crunchy sound whenever I walk on snow. Most of the grass here is yellow. I have a rather impressive picture of the yellow grass, I'll upload it later if I can.

Jeju · 27-06-2018 11:19pm

Donegal Storm wrote:

All the flowers planted as part of a street works upgrade a few months ago are dead as well, don't see why the council couldn't pay a few grass cutters to go around watering when they're clearly not going to be doing any cutting for the next while

They'll be cutting grass whether it needs it or not.

saccades · 27-06-2018 11:25pm

Larch trees in cherry wood shedding leaves like it's winter.

Guy out this Morning cutting the dead grass again.

Sierra Oscar · 27-06-2018 11:54pm

Jeju wrote: »

They'll be cutting grass whether it needs it or not.

DCC have curtailed their grass cutting, assume the other Local Authorities have too. Not good to cut grass in these conditions. There's not much to cut regardless.

The grass hasn't been cut in my estate for three weeks. There's been no rain since early May (aside from some drizzle) and nothing is growing unless it's watered.

sryanbruen · 28-06-2018 11:09am

Sunshine totals (hours) for Irish stations from the 21st-27th June 2018.

Valentia Observatory still in first place with Shannon Airport in second place though Cork Airport is 0.1 hour less than Shannon. Today will bring most station's totals up to at least 100 hours. Think this is shaping up to be the sunniest June since at least 2009.

A spectacular day across the board the 27th was with 16.4 hours of sun at Malin Head! I think that's a new record for Ireland. I have not seen a daily sunshine's total in Ireland as high as that - correct me if you have.

Station|21 Jun|22 Jun|23 Jun|24 Jun|25 Jun|26 Jun|27 Jun|Total
Belmullet|12.7|13.6|14.2|15.8|14.0|11.2|15.4|96.9
Casement Aerodrome|14.1|15.8|13.4|14.8|10.7|9.8|12.8|91.4
Cork Airport|13.2|15.7|14.8|14.9|11.7|11.8|15.5|97.6
Dublin Airport|12.9|15.6|14.4|15.6|12.5|11.3|13.8|96.1
Gurteen|8.1|14.7|15.5|15.9|11.0|12.2|13.7|91.1
Johnstown Castle|2.9|15.8|15.5|5.6|14.0|11.6|15.9|81.3
Knock Airport|10.8|10.9|13.7|16.0|12.6|10.7|14.7|89.4
Malin Head|12.7|10.9|12.6|15.2|14.8|8.4|16.4|91.0
Shannon Airport|13.3|15.1|15.6|15.2|10.5|13.3|14.7|97.7
Valentia Observatory|12.3|15.3|15.5|15.5|11.1|14.5|14.1|98.3

Data comes from Met Éireann.

Graces7 · 28-06-2018 11:18am

Bsal wrote: »

Slightly off topic, I see the grass pollen forecast is very high from Met Eireann at the moment, surely the grass isn't producing much if any pollen with it being mostly dead around the country. I am a grass pollen sufferer and noticed since Monday that I'm not being affected much by it.

it is flowering grass that produces the pollen.. not just the kind that gets cut short . Hence the stats, but if you are near only the dry stuff, yes, less affected. We are still green and pollen rich out here..

pauldry · 28-06-2018 12:06pm

our back garden is never dry.

Even in drought

We lived there for 13 years.

Never say never though. Its dry now.

Graces7 · 28-06-2018 1:30pm

Aches the heart, the buckets..Looks familiar that place ..

https://www.rte.ie/news/weather/2018/0628/973784-weather-ireland/

Cantona's Collars · 28-06-2018 1:59pm

One GAA club down here has farmers using tankers to water the pitch at night. Thousands upon thousands of gallons of water being used and I wouldn't mind but the club championship is on hold for as long as Wexford are still hurling inter county.

Oneiric 3 · 28-06-2018 2:00pm

sryanbruen wrote: »

Sunshine totals (hours) for Irish stations from the 21st-27th June 2018.

Valentia Observatory still in first place with Shannon Airport in second place though Cork Airport is 0.1 hour less than Shannon. Today will bring most station's totals up to at least 100 hours. Think this is shaping up to be the sunniest June since at least 2009.

A spectacular day across the board the 27th was with 16.4 hours of sun at Malin Head! I think that's a new record for Ireland. I have not seen a daily sunshine's total in Ireland as high as that - correct me if you have.

Station|21 Jun|22 Jun|23 Jun|24 Jun|25 Jun|26 Jun|27 Jun|Total
Belmullet|12.7|13.6|14.2|15.8|14.0|11.2|15.4|96.9
Casement Aerodrome|14.1|15.8|13.4|14.8|10.7|9.8|12.8|91.4
Cork Airport|13.2|15.7|14.8|14.9|11.7|11.8|15.5|97.6
Dublin Airport|12.9|15.6|14.4|15.6|12.5|11.3|13.8|96.1
Gurteen|8.1|14.7|15.5|15.9|11.0|12.2|13.7|91.1
Johnstown Castle|2.9|15.8|15.5|5.6|14.0|11.6|15.9|81.3
Knock Airport|10.8|10.9|13.7|16.0|12.6|10.7|14.7|89.4
Malin Head|12.7|10.9|12.6|15.2|14.8|8.4|16.4|91.0
Shannon Airport|13.3|15.1|15.6|15.2|10.5|13.3|14.7|97.7
Valentia Observatory|12.3|15.3|15.5|15.5|11.1|14.5|14.1|98.3

Data comes from Met Éireann.

I think Malin Hd's total is quite possibly a record, given that we are in the time of year now where daylight hours are at their longest.

Graces7 · 28-06-2018 3:16pm

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

One GAA club down here has farmers using tankers to water the pitch at night. Thousands upon thousands of gallons of water being used and I wouldn't mind but the club championship is on hold for as long as Wexford are still hurling inter county.

ggrrrrrrrrr! REALLY!

Why are the farmers doing it when they are saying they re running out of water? Money?

Mooooo · 28-06-2018 3:40pm

Graces7 wrote: »

ggrrrrrrrrr! REALLY!

Why are the farmers doing it when they are saying they re running out of water? Money?

An area the size of a pitch could be watered to save the grass, an area the size of a farm not so much

HighLine · 28-06-2018 3:43pm

Interesting to see the water levels at the Varty Reservoir in Wicklow are fairly high. Surprising considering the lack of rainfall over the last few weeks.

Zzippy · 28-06-2018 3:44pm

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

One GAA club down here has farmers using tankers to water the pitch at night. Thousands upon thousands of gallons of water being used and I wouldn't mind but the club championship is on hold for as long as Wexford are still hurling inter county.

Not much longer so!

MJohnston · 28-06-2018 3:57pm

HighLine wrote: »

Interesting to see the water levels at the Varty Reservoir in Wicklow are fairly high. Surprising considering the lack of rainfall over the last few weeks.

Did you see this visually yourself or just reported somewhere?

Cantona's Collars · 28-06-2018 4:02pm

No river near there afaik.

Graces7 · 28-06-2018 4:05pm

Mooooo wrote: »

An area the size of a pitch could be watered to save the grass, an area the size of a farm not so much

No I mean why waste water on a pitch when it is in such short supply...

Amirani · 28-06-2018 4:06pm

Water rationing being implemented in Dublin now.

HighLine · 28-06-2018 4:06pm

MJohnston wrote: »

Did you see this visually yourself or just reported somewhere?

Visually myself. I also have comparative photos from different stages when it actually has been low (lowest January 2017). I'll try get photos later.

kneemos · 28-06-2018 4:07pm

Any sign of an end? Next week is to be as hot apparently.

MJohnston · 28-06-2018 4:12pm

I just hurt my head by reading the comments on an article about Irish Water imposing restrictions. The idiocy and doublethink of some in this country...

Cantona's Collars · 28-06-2018 4:15pm

Graces7 wrote: »

ggrrrrrrrrr! REALLY!

Why are the farmers doing it when they are saying they re running out of water? Money?

As the ads say "for the love of the game".

cyclops999 · 28-06-2018 5:27pm

I have never seen the Shannon so low in June, weir wall almost dry in Athlone. Unless massive reservoirs are build near Lough Derg extracting water from Shannon to pump to Dublin will be a disaster

Oneiric 3 · 28-06-2018 5:29pm

These charts from Met Eireann show just how dire the rain situation is in the Dublin region now. First graph in particular is telling:

Dublin_Airport_RAIN.png?1727

Mooooo · 28-06-2018 5:32pm

Graces7 wrote: »

No I mean why waste water on a pitch when it is in such short supply...

Water was likely just pulled straight from a stream or river, not potable water or connected to a network. They wouldn't be filling those out of the tap

Mooooo · 28-06-2018 5:34pm

Any sign of this to break or is it showing dry weather as far as reasonably can be predicted? Situation may get dire for farmers

cherryghost · 28-06-2018 5:38pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Any sign of this to break or is it showing dry weather as far as reasonably can be predicted? Situation may get dire for farmers

Showers predicted this weekend but not guaranteed yet. No rain beyond that, still can change

fineso.mom · 28-06-2018 5:49pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Water was likely just pulled straight from a stream or river, not potable water or connected to a network. They wouldn't be filling those out of the tap

This is more than likely what they are doing. They are hardly waiting for hours for a tap to fill a tank with drinking water and then watering the grass with it. They are doing that with our local field,taking water from the river and watering the pitch. A hard pitch would be dangerous to play on . Its very good of them to take the time to do it,and no,they are not being paid!

mirrorwall14 · 28-06-2018 6:17pm

Can anyone say what they mean by ‘the greater Dublin area’? I know for the NRA that includes Wicklow, Kildare and Meath. Do Irish Water count it the same?

hinault · 28-06-2018 6:41pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Any sign of this to break or is it showing dry weather as far as reasonably can be predicted? Situation may get dire for farmers

YR site is predicting rainfall for Sunday across many locations. Rainfall amounts are modest though.

https://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Leinster/Kilkenny/long.html

SleetAndSnow · 28-06-2018 6:51pm

https://twitter.com/Arklowweather/status/1012375676710776832

kneemos · 28-06-2018 7:11pm

Showers wouldn't even wet the ground.
Several days of rain are probably wanted.

CardinalJ · 28-06-2018 7:38pm

There was a guy watering trees outside the Central Bank today at 1pm. Seemed like the biggest waste of water ever.

HighLine · 28-06-2018 7:45pm

So to give a visual example of how high the current water levels are at the Vartry Reservoir in Wicklow... the first photo was taken today. Note the people jumping into the water off the bridge and swimming. The second photo is the same bridge back in January 2017.

I actually can't understand how there is so much water given the recent lack of rain.

Drought/Low Rainfall Watch - Summer 2018

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