Met Éireann has issued an advisory for potato blight for the coming days.

The national forecaster said that weather conditions conductive to the spread of potato blight will affect many coastal regions, mostly of the west and south, and in parts of the midlands.

The advisory is in place until Tuesday (August 4).

Potato blight is a plant disease caused by a fungal-like organism called Phytophthora infestans.

The pathogen spreads rapidly in humid weather in the foliage of potatoes and tomatoes, causing the foliage to decay and the potato/tomato to be infected.

Farming commentary

In its latest farming commentary, Met Éireann said that breezier conditions may limit spraying opportunities for some, particularly along the west coast.

Opportunities will become more limited from Sunday onwards, but there is uncertainty in the detail and some areas may still experience opportunities for spraying, with the greatest chance being in the south-east.

Met Éireann said soil moisture deficits currently range from 5mm in the north and north-west to 93mm in the east.

Away from the north-west, ground is generally hard and there is restriction to growth.

Over the coming week, very little change is expected in the soil moisture deficits, with the exception of the north-west where deficits are likely to decrease.

Weather forecast

Today (Sunday) is expected to be largely cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle extending north-eastwards through the rest of the morning and early afternoon, heaviest and most persistent in the south-west and west.

However, some eastern parts may remain mostly dry.

Tonight is set to be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.

Much of Leinster will remain largely dry overnight.

Temperatures will not fall below 11° to 16° in light to moderate north-easterly winds.

It will be largely cloudy on Monday with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle continuing to affect much the country.

Some heavy and possibly thundery downpours could develop towards the evening.

The best of any sunny spells will be towards the east and south-east during the afternoon.