We have experienced the driest June and July in the history of Met Éireann’s recordings at the Phoenix Park. They “go back to the 1800s”, according to Evelyn Cusack on RTE’s Morning Ireland today, Friday 3 August.

Friday

Friday will be cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle at first. The weather will become drier through the day and the cloud will become more broken with occasional sunshine coming through. Highs of 20°C to 24°C in light breezes for Friday 3 August.

Outbreaks of rain are to continue on Friday night, with potentially a few heavy falls. Minimum temperatures of 9°C to 12°C.

Saturday

A dry night tonight will lead to a bright day Saturday with highs of 19°C to 22°C.

Generally dry for Saturday with highs of 19°C to 22°C in light breezes. A bright day with mixed cloud and some periods of better sunshine.

Sunday

Sunday will be mostly dry with the best sunshine and highest temperatures occurring over Leinster and Munster. The west and northwest will tend to be cloudier through the day. Highs of 19°C to 25°C, with warmest temperatures across south Leinster. On Sunday night, outbreaks of rain will develop over the northern half of the country.

Monday will be cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle across the north and west of the country. Eastern and southern counties will be generally dry for the day.

Management notes

Tillage

In this week’s tillage management notes, Andy Doyle looks at how the recent rain will see the harvest yet again take off.

Beef

Beef editor Adam Woods takes a look at health issues after the drought, kick-starting grass growth and aiming for a third cut of silage.

Sheep

This week’s sheep management notes cover grazing catch crops with sheep and reseeding.

Dairy

For dairy farmers, Aidan Brennan asks if now is the time to spread fertiliser,what to do about feed and fodder crops.