Widespread soil saturation and waterlogging are creating challenges for farmers nationwide.

Met Éireann today (Thursday, October 15) also warned that "moderately drained soils in the west and north-west and poorly drained soils nationwide are waterlogged".

Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are generally ranging from -10mm to 2mm.

The national forecaster warned of outbreaks of rain today, with uncertainty in the forecast from Tuesday.

"Poorly drained soils will also remain waterlogged," it said.

Rain

Met Éireann said that over the past week, rainfall amounts were well above average in parts of the west and north-west, ranging between 143% and 248% of average.

The rest of the country had below average rainfall amounts, ranging from 46% to 91% of average with the lowest averages in the south and south-east.

The national forecaster had issued Status Yellow rain warnings for several counties that expired earlier today.

The warning for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo was in place until 6:00a.m this morning, while a rain warning in effect for counties Clare and Kerry expired at midday.

But the impact of the weather warnings will continue to be felt for days to come.

Conditions

According to Met Éireann, mean air temperatures over the past seven days were slightly above average by between 1° and 2.1°, with values ranging from 11.5°, recorded at Knock Airport, to 13.8°, recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry.

Soil temperatures were also above average, ranging from 11.8° to 14.4°, which is between 1.7° and 3.7° above average.

Sunshine records over the past week were generally close to or above average in the east and south-east, ranging from 104% to 142% of average while stations elsewhere recorded below average sunshine amounts, ranging between 62% and 96% of average.