⚡ Short answer
Ireland weather: mild Atlantic maritime, year-round driveable. Best May-Sep. Hazards: frequent rain (1.000-2.500 mm), Atlantic gales Wild Atlantic Way, flash floods, occasional cold snaps Jan-Feb. Source: Met Eireann.
Live weather
Dublin
12° Rain
- feels like
- 11°
- wind
- 6.2 m/s
- humidity
- 66%
Next 24 hours
- 16:00 12° 100% rain
- 19:00 12° 40% rain
- 22:00 14° 100% rain
- 01:00 14°
- 04:00 13° 87% rain
- 07:00 16° 41% rain
- 10:00 15°
- 13:00 14°
Cork
13° Clouds
- feels like
- 13°
- wind
- 4.6 m/s
- humidity
- 85%
Next 24 hours
- 16:00 13°
- 19:00 14°
- 22:00 15°
- 01:00 15°
- 04:00 15°
- 07:00 15° 67% rain
- 10:00 14°
- 13:00 15°
Galway
12° Rain
- feels like
- 12°
- wind
- 7.1 m/s
- humidity
- 91%
Next 24 hours
- 16:00 13° 100% rain
- 19:00 14°
- 22:00 16° 40% rain
- 01:00 15° 100% rain
- 04:00 15° 100% rain
- 07:00 12°
- 10:00 12°
- 13:00 13° 66% rain
Limerick
12° Clouds
- feels like
- 12°
- wind
- 4.9 m/s
- humidity
- 89%
Next 24 hours
- 16:00 12° 100% rain
- 19:00 14° 100% rain
- 22:00 15°
- 01:00 15° 32% rain
- 04:00 14° 100% rain
- 07:00 14° 100% rain
- 10:00 13°
- 13:00 13° 59% rain
Killarney
12° Clouds
- feels like
- 11°
- wind
- 6.2 m/s
- humidity
- 82%
Next 24 hours
- 16:00 13° 100% rain
- 19:00 14° 100% rain
- 22:00 16° 58% rain
- 01:00 15° 33% rain
- 04:00 15° 41% rain
- 07:00 16° 100% rain
- 10:00 14° 32% rain
- 13:00 15°
On this page
Irish climate overview
Ireland has a temperate oceanic climate moderated by the Gulf Stream. The result: mild temperatures year-round, frequent rain, persistent wind, and only occasional extremes.
Dublin and east coast
Slightly drier east. Summer 15-20C, winter 4-8C. 750-900 mm rain/year. Sea moderation.
Wild Atlantic Way (Galway, Donegal, Kerry)
Wet and windy. Summer 14-18C, winter 5-9C. 1.500-2.500 mm rain. Frequent gales autumn-winter.
Midlands (Athlone, Mullingar)
Slightly more continental. Summer 16-21C, winter 3-7C. 900-1.100 mm rain.
South (Cork, Waterford)
Mild, southerly. Summer 15-20C, winter 6-9C. 1.000-1.300 mm rain. Most days of mist/drizzle.
Northern Ireland (Belfast, Derry)
Slightly cooler. Summer 14-19C, winter 3-7C. 900-1.200 mm rain.
Wicklow Mountains
Upland. Summer 12-17C, winter 0-5C with snow days. 1.300-1.600 mm.
Best months by activity
General touring (Dublin, Cork, Galway)
- Best: May-September. Mild, longer days.
- Good: April, October. Cooler but still pleasant.
Wild Atlantic Way
- Best: June-August. Less storm risk, longer days.
- Shoulder: May, September. Fewer tourists, decent weather.
Hiking (Wicklow, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks)
- Best: April-October. All trails open.
Festivals (Galway, Cork)
- Best: July-August. Galway International Arts Festival, Cork Jazz Festival.
Whiskey distilleries (Cork, Dublin)
- Year-round: indoor tours, no seasonal restrictions.
Atlantic storms and named events
Ireland and Met Office UK share storm naming since 2015. Typical storm season: October-March.
- Frequency: 8-12 named storms per year hitting Ireland.
- Wind speeds: 100-130 km/h sustained, gusts 160-180 km/h.
- Major events 2022-2024: Storm Eunice (Feb 2022, 196 km/h Roches Point), Storm Isha (Jan 2024, 124 km/h Kinsale), Storm Eowyn (Jan 2025, record winds).
- Red warnings: Met Eireann advises no travel; Garda may close roads.
- Impact: fallen trees, power outages, ferry cancellations, flight diversions.
Sign up for Met Eireann SMS alerts via met.ie account.
Rain and flooding
Persistent rain shapes daily life:
- Annual average: 151 rain days nationally; west 200+ days.
- Soft Irish rain: light drizzle most days spring/autumn; rarely heavy enough to stop driving.
- Atlantic frontal systems: deliver 50-100 mm/24h in winter storms.
- Flash flood spots: M50 Dublin Red Cow interchange, Cork city centre during Lee floods, Galway docks during high tide.
Practical: full wipers, demister maintenance, raincoat in car.
Wind on bridges and coastal roads
Atlantic exposure dominates west coast:
- Wild Atlantic Way: regular gales; high-sided vehicles affected from 17 m/s.
- Mizen Head, Slea Head, Atlantic Way bridges: can close in 25+ m/s.
- Galway Bay coastal road: storm surge floods occasionally.
- Dublin Port Tunnel: rarely closes; flood gates installed.
Snow and ice
Snow is rare in Ireland:
- Coastal areas: 0-3 snow days/year. Snow rarely lies.
- Inland midlands: 5-10 snow days/year. Often slushy.
- Wicklow uplands: 10-20 snow days/year. Some passes close (Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap).
- Munster mountains (MacGillycuddy): 10-15 snow days. Conor Pass can close.
Black ice on rural N-roads after clear cold nights. Salt aggressively applied.
Apps and resources
- Met Eireann: official Irish met service (met.ie)
- TII: Transport Infrastructure Ireland, live road status (tii.ie)
- AA Ireland: weather + breakdown
- Yr.no: Norwegian Met has good Atlantic models for Ireland
- Windy: excellent for Atlantic storm tracking
Practical tips for Ireland road trips
- Waterproof jacket and trousers always; weather changes hourly.
- M-roads tolled (eFlow): register plate online or pay within 8 PM next day to avoid penalty.
- Wild Atlantic Way: drive south to north generally easier with prevailing wind.
- Rural N-roads: narrow, twisty, often single-lane with passing places; mind oncoming.
- Speed limits in km/h since 2005 (was mph). Watch for cameras.
- Driving on the LEFT; rental cars have steering on the right.
- Fuel range adequate everywhere; even Connemara has stations.
- Spare keys: salt-air corrosion can stiffen locks west coast.
Regional summary
Dublin and east coast
Mild east. Summer 15-20C, winter 4-8C. Less rain.
Cork and south
Mild south. Summer 15-20C, winter 6-9C. Frequent mist.
Galway and west
Atlantic exposed. Summer 14-19C, winter 5-9C. Wet windy.
Donegal and northwest
Most Atlantic. Summer 13-18C, winter 4-8C. Wettest, windiest.
Kerry and southwest
Wild Atlantic Way south anchor. Summer 14-19C, winter 6-9C.
Belfast and Northern Ireland
Similar to Dublin. Summer 14-19C, winter 3-7C.
Midlands
Slightly continental. Summer 16-21C, winter 3-7C.
Wicklow Mountains
Upland. Summer 12-17C, winter 0-5C with snow days.
Resources
- Met Eireann: met.ie
- TII: tii.ie
- AA Ireland: theaa.ie
- Air quality and pollen: paruso.com/dublin/
Related topics: Ireland
- Live traffic · Current jams
- Driving rules · Speed, alcohol
- Fuel prices · Per-station prices
- Country info · Currency, language
- Toll roads · Per-country prices
Weather in other European countries
SOURCE: Met Eireann (Irish Meteorological Service) + TII Transport Infrastructure Ireland road weather + AA Ireland Automobile Association
LICENSE: Official
Frequently asked questions
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When is the best time to drive in Ireland?
May-September: mild temperatures (14-20C), longer daylight, lower rain risk. June-August: peak summer (16-22C), busiest tourist season. September-October: golden Irish autumn, fewer tourists. November-March: cool and wet (4-10C); year-round driveable but rain dominant. April: spring with daffodils, variable weather. Wild Atlantic Way drives best June-September.
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Are winter tyres mandatory in Ireland?
No, winter tyres are not legally required in Ireland. Snow is rare except in Wicklow Mountains and Munster mountains (5-10 days/year typical). M+S tyres useful for Wicklow upland driving Dec-Feb but not generally needed elsewhere. Minimum tread depth 1.6 mm; recommended replace at 3 mm winter. Studded tyres rare.
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Which Irish roads have weather issues?
The Wild Atlantic Way (R-roads along west coast) experiences regular Atlantic gales 25-35 m/s in autumn-winter. Bridges (Mizen Head, Slea Head Drive) can close in extreme storms. M50 Dublin orbital has flash-flood spots after heavy rain. Mountain passes Wicklow Sally Gap, Conor Pass (Dingle), Healy Pass can close in snow Dec-Feb. TII publishes status at tii.ie/roadworks.
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How wet is Ireland really?
Ireland is wet. West coast 1.500-2.500 mm/year (Connemara, Kerry), east 750-1.200 mm. The country averages 151 rain days/year, with no truly dry months. Bring waterproofs always. Rain in spring/autumn tends to be soft drizzle; winter Atlantic storms can deliver 50-100 mm in 24 hours. Met Eireann issues yellow/orange/red rain warnings via met.ie.
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How do Atlantic storms affect driving?
Named storms (Storm names alternate between Ireland/UK/Netherlands per shared list) hit Ireland October-March, typically 8-12 named storms per year. Wind speeds 100-130 km/h sustained, gusts to 160-180 km/h in severe events. Red weather warnings advise no travel; Garda may close roads. Vehicles can be blown around, fallen trees common, power outages widespread. Plan around forecasts; reschedule if possible.