A status yellow potato blight warning has been issued by Met Eireann this morning; it is set to remain in place for the coming days.
Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight are expected to occur throughout today, July 10, and tomorrow in Munster, Leinster, Connacht and south Ulster.
There is set to be good opportunities for spraying over the next few days due to light winds, but rain or showers will also hamper spraying operations at times.
Today, Monday, is set to bring outbreaks of rain and drizzle in many areas, but much of Ulster will remain dry.
Tonight is forecast to be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle; the northern half of Ulster is expected to remain mainly dry. Overnight, temperatures could drop to as low as 9º.
Meanwhile, drying conditions will be good at times this week – but there will be periods of poorer drying due to a lack of wind and some rain, according to Met Eireann.
In the northwest and north, soil moisture deficits are close to zero due to recent rainfall. Over the southern half of the country soil moisture deficits are around 30mm, which may impact on growth, it added.
Little change in the soil moisture deficit in many places will be seen in the coming week and the deficit could increase in southern areas.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Tuesday, is set to be dull in many areas with a risk of rain – which will be heavy at times over the southern half of the country. The northern half of Ulster is likely to stay mainly dry.
Rain is forecast to clear slowly southeastwards through the afternoon and evening, with brighter weather following. Temperatures will range from 14º to 18º in moderate east to northeast winds.
Tuesday night will be dry with clear spells developing; temperatures will drop to around 10º.
Wednesday
Conditions on Wednesday are expected to be mainly dry and bright with good sunny spells and light variable breezes.
There is a risk of one or two light showers, as temperatures reach as high as 22º. On Wednesday night, cloud is set to increase in the west with rain and drizzle developing overnight.
Thursday
Thursday will start off dry in the east; rain and drizzle in the west will spread eastwards to all areas and then clear in the evening and early night.
Highest temperatures of 16º to 20º are forecast with moderate west to southwest breezes.
Outlook
Both Leinster and Munster are expected to enjoy some dry, bright or sunny spells on Friday. Connacht and Ulster will start off dry, but rain and drizzle will move in from the west in the afternoon and early evening.
Early indications for Saturday suggest that conditions will start off mainly dry in Leinster and Munster. Rain in Connacht and Ulster is forecast to spread eastwards through the day and will clear slowly southeastwards on Saturday night.
Currently, both next Sunday and Monday look like being mainly dry, Met Eireann concluded.