Over the past week, rainfall amounts were close to or higher than average in most areas, apart from in the southeast where rainfall amounts were below average. The highest amount of rainfall was measured in Valentia, Co. Kerry at 50mm or 126% of average, while the lowest amount was recorded in Johnstown, Co. Wexford at 15mm or 55% of average. Conditions will be more settled over the coming 7 days as high pressure dominates our weather. As a result rainfall amounts are expected to well below average across the country, ranging between 0% and 13% of the average for this time of year, with only minimal amounts of rain, mainly near coasts, and only around 1 to 2 mm for most. Many other areas will have no rain at all in the coming week. Mean air temperatures over the past seven days were above average for the time of year. The lowest mean air temperature of 10.4 degrees (2.5 degrees above average) was recorded at Knock Airport, Co. Mayo, while the highest mean air temperature of 12.7 degrees (2 degrees above average) was recorded at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry. Soil temperatures were also above average, ranging from 10.1 to 12.3 degrees. For the coming week, mean air temperatures are forecast to be between 1 degree below average along the west and south coasts to near average in most other areas, but 2 degrees above average in eastern fringes, ranging from 7 to 11 degrees. Mean soil temperatures will decrease slightly due to colder nights. Sunshine amounts over the past week were generally below average along north and west coasts and close to or above average along south and east coasts. Valentia, Co. Kerry recorded the least amount of sunshine with 8.5 hours (51% of average) while Dublin Airport recorded the most with 28 hours (136% of average). Conditions will be largely settled over the next week, with good sunshine expected, though later in the week more in the way of cloud may feed into eastern parts. Drying conditions will generally be moderate to good today and the early days of next week once early mist and fog clears. Some good opportunities for spraying in the coming days. Well and moderately drained soils are saturated or close to saturation, and poorly drained soils are waterlogged in parts of the southwest and northwest, with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) generally ranging from -10 mm to 4 mm. With some drier periods forecast over the coming week, all soil SMDs will improve somewhat, with well-drained and moderately drained SMDs increasing to between 1 mm and 6 mm during the next seven days, while poorly drained soil SMDs will range between -7 mm and -1 mm by the end of the period.