Drought conditions are expected to worsen in the coming week, with little or no rainfall likely to fall, Irish meteorological office Met Eireann has explained.
As it stands, soil moisture deficits are ranging from around 55mm to 65mm in west Ulster and west Connacht. Meanwhile, over east and south Leinster, deficits are running at between 70mm and 90mm.
A Status Yellow advisory warning relating to the drought conditions remains in place today (Monday, July 9); it will be valid until just before midnight on Wednesday, July 11.
Forecast
Today is set to be mostly dry with some mist or cloud periods at first and just the odd spot of drizzle, but later in the day there will be good sunny spells developing with just the odd shower, according to Met Eireann.
Temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 26º; values will be slightly lower in the north and the north-west, it added.
Good clear spells are expected to continue tonight, but conditions may become cloudier in the north and some patches of mist may form towards dawn. Overnight temperatures will range from 9º to 14º.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow – Tuesday – is set to be mostly dry with hazy sunshine, but somewhat cloudier in the north and north-west; there will be the risk of the odd shower later in the afternoon or evening.
Temperatures will remain fairly similar to the previous day, in mainly light northerly breezes – but moderate along Atlantic coasts and in afternoon sea breezes, according to Met Eireann.
It will be mild and humid with lowest temperatures of around 12º to 15º.
Wednesday
Conditions on Wednesday are forecast to start off quite cloudy with scattered showers; these are expected to become isolated later, with good sunny spells developing.
Top temperatures will be around 18º to 23º in light north-east to easterly breezes.
Outlook
On Thursday, it will be mostly dry with sunny spells – but a few showers are still likely. Temperatures will be similar to the previous day in just light variable breezes.
Early indications suggest that both Friday and Saturday will bring scattered showers alongside some good sunny spells.