Met Eireann has warned that there is a risk of drought conditions developing – especially in the south-east of the country – over the coming week, as soil moisture deficits increase.
As it stands, soil moisture deficits are “highly positive” through much of Leinster and Munster.
With anticyclonic conditions dominating our weather for at least the next week, the deficits are only going to increase countrywide, Met Eireann stated.
By this time next week, deficits are likely to range from 30mm in the north-west to as high as 80mm over the south-east, with the risk of drought conditions developing, it added.
Farmers in the south-east have been under increasing pressure over the past few weeks, with reports of dairy farmers already feeding silage and additional dairy nuts in order to sustain milk yields.
Meanwhile, following on from the difficult weather conditions experienced this spring – which left tillage farmers with significant backlogs of work – the lack of recent rainfall in the south-east has negatively impacted crops.
Temperatures to exceed 20º Tonight is set to remain dry with good clear spells, with temperatures dropping to between 5º and 8º.
Dry and sunny spells are forecast to continue tomorrow, Friday.
Conditions are set to remain dry and cool overnight.
It also looks as if there will be a danger of a few thundery showers midweek.