Irish people love to talk about the weather – and for good reason. Irish weather can change rapidly, and can be very unpredictable at certain times of the year.

Always be physically and mentally prepared for the wet and windy conditions and be ready to change your plans if necessary. If you’re planning to climb a mountain, paddle a river, or surf along the coast – make sure to plan ahead and prepare for the latest weather information.

Watch the Weather

Be flexible – when four seasons can hit in a day, we all need to watch the weather and know what that means for our adventures.

Whether you’re heading out to our national parks, conservation areas, or the local looped woodland, check the Met Éireann weather forecasts for everyday showers, as well as severe weather warnings and other weather bulletins.

Here you can find the latest weather information – which includes national and regional forecasts and marine forecasts.
Other Met Eireann information to look out for are Weather Warnings, and the general Weather Outlook.

Understanding the Forecast

Remember to check conditions for different points on your route – for example, if you’re heading to the mountains, find out how cold and windy it will be at the top of your climb – and don’t underestimate the wind chill factor. Checking the weather forecast before you set off is just as important if you are heading out for a day on the water, be it the sea, lakes or rivers.

Choose a different route or turn back if the forecast changes or doesn’t look too good; there’s no shame in changing plans if the weather changes – such as closing in unexpectedly, or if the conditions turn out to be more difficult than you’d expected.

Understanding the Tides

With our rugged coastline, always be aware of the tide times and directions.

We always want to be able to get on and off the beach safely, or only into water that’s safe to swim in. 15cm of water is enough to knock you off your feet. Check when it’s high out low tide before heading out. Plan ahead and prepare, by learning about the key safety points for your activity, such as open water swimming or surfing.

You can find Tidal Predictions here from the Marine Institute.

Night Conditions

Experiencing the outdoors at night can completely transform areas – even places that during daylight you know like the back of your hand.

Heading out at night requires us all to bring extra gear like head-torches, warmer layers, and possibly extra navigation equipment. Temperatures are always lower once the sun sets, so always bring plenty of layering options. When the weather changes at night, visibility can go from minimal to nonexistent. Having the clothing and equipment to wait out bad weather is important for nighttime adventures. Always be prepared to take things slow at night, as it’s easy to make mistakes in the dark.