After a weekend of warm sunshine and blue skies, Met Éireann is predicting above average rainfall for many parts of the country throughout September and the beginning of next month. However, there is still positive news to cling to as the state forecaster said temperatures will be warmer than normal at the start of October.
Whilst Met Éireann explicitly states long range weather forecasts are notoriously difficult to definitively predict, it did, however, paint a somewhat bleak picture for many parts of the country over the coming weeks. This coming weekend is set to be a a washout across the north and west of Ireland with rest of country hopefully seeing drier than normal conditions.
"The might has become a definite regarding Atlantic low pressure being too close by for Scotland, N. Ireland, & Ireland to join in with dry weather throughout Fri-Sat," wrote Meterologist, James Peacock, on X on Monday.
"Still a chance most areas of the UK stay dry - but rather cloudy away from the south - on Fri," he added. The further into the future we go, the more difficult it becomes to forecast the weather however, Met Éireann says "much of the country will experience unsettled weather" in the middle of September. Whilst it remains relatively uncertain, the end of September and beginning of October is set to be more settled with "warmer than average mean air temperatures, with a signal for below average rainfall for many too".
September Weather Breakdown
Met Éireann has broken down its forecast for September into four weeks.
Week 1 (Monday 09 September to Sunday 15 September)
Week one is indicating the presence of low pressure over Ireland, centred to the east with high pressure over the mid-Atlantic. This will bring mixed conditions with wetter than average conditions over the north and west, and drier than normal conditions elsewhere. Mean air temperatures are indicating that they will be cooler than normal for the time of year.
Week 2 (Monday 16 September to Sunday 22 September)
While confidence in week 2 is lower, there is a slight signal for high pressure over parts of the north with low pressure to the southwest in the Atlantic. Much of the country will experience unsettled weather by means of above average rainfall with the exception of areas in the west and northwest which are expected to see below average rainfall. Mean air temperatures are indicating that they will be normal for the time of year in week 2.
Week 3 (Monday 23 September to Sunday 29 September)
There is increasing uncertainty in the forecast for week 3. Current indications suggest conditions will become more settled. There is a slight signal for higher pressure to dominate over much of the country this week. There is a signal for warmer than average mean air temperatures, with a signal for below average rainfall for many too.
Week 4 (Monday 30 September to Sunday 06 October)
In week 4 the forecast confidence is low. There is a slight signal for low pressure to dominate our weather, bringing unsettled conditions and above average rainfall for week 4. Mean air temperatures are indicating that they will remain above normal again for the time of year.
Enjoy The Sunshine While It Lasts
Locals are advised to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts with temperatures set to drop on Sunday.
A blast of warm weather is expected across the Northern Sound region, just in time to start off the weekend. According to Magheracloone native and national weather forecaster Gerry Murphy, temperatures across Cavan and Monaghan could reach up to 23 or 24 degrees over today and tomorrow. Speaking to Northern Sound, Gerry has advised locals to "soak up the sunshine" while they can, with temperatures set to drop and cloudier skies to appear on Sunday. Overall, the RTE weather forecaster said it was an "average" summer when it comes to temperatures and rainfall across the region. Rainfall in West Cavan was above average, however further east of the region rainfall was below average, particularly due to the wet weather in August.
Roscommon to Bask in the Warmth
There will be plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures around County Roscommon on Friday. County Roscommon is set to enjoy one of the warmest days of the year this weekend, but for one day only.
Met Éireann is forecasting that parts of the county could see temperatures in excess of 25c on Friday as a rare blast of heat hits Ireland.
"Warm and humid with spells of sunshine occurring widely. However, by evening time, thundery rain may affect southern counties, especially coastal areas.
"Highs of 21 to 25 degrees in moderate northeasterly winds," said Met Éireann. However, while the weather will be mostly dry over the coming days, temperatures are expected to recede gradually and could be as much as 10 degrees lower by the middle of next week as winds change to a northerly direction. Earlier this week, Met Éireann confirmed that 2024 was the coldest summer across Ireland since 2015.
Shannonside's Summer Sizzle
Met Éireann is forecasting that temperatures could reach as high as 25 degrees in some areas of the region tomorrow. Tomorrow is set to be one of the warmest days of the year across the Shannonside region. It was reported yesterday it was the coldest Irish summers in almost a decade, with average temperatures of 14.5 degrees.
However, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says we're in for a warm few days:
Farewell to the Summer Sun
Met Eireann are forecasting cooler days ahead but many Dubs made the most of the last of the summer. We may be in to September but Dubs were out in force yesterday lapping up the unexpected sunshine. Temperatures hit a scorching 22C yesterday and many hit the likes of the Forty Foot to lap up the rays. Sunseekers were making the most of the last embers of summer with Met Eireann forecasting some grimmer days ahead. Sunday will see the mercury climb as high as 19C but it will be breezy with a chance of drizzle. The week ahead will see things get cooler with highs of around 16C with scattered showers on the way. So if you were one of the ones who got out and enjoyed the warm weather you did the right thing! Have a look at our gallery below as Dublin basked in its Indian summer.
We've enjoyed our treat - now autumn is well and truly on the way. We've been treated to a little post-summer bump in the temperature this weekend - but an autumn change is on the way in the next few days. The rest of Sunday will remain bright and fair - but clouds will begin to gather tonight, with rain due on Tuesday across the Rebel County. Cork city should then see a dry but cloudy stretch in the middle of the week before a rainy weekend, as temps dip to a high of 16 degrees.
An unprecedented number of high heat records were broken across the world this year - but rising global temperatures don't affect the planet equally, and here it was a different story with 2024 being the coolest Irish summer since 2015. Now it's time to say goodbye to the firey ball in the sky - until it emerges from behind the clouds again in spring 2025.
Be Prepared for the Heat Wave
We haven’t had a great summer this year so far, with plenty of rain, strong winds and the occasional thunderstorm, but Met Eireann is saying this will temporarily change. There looks to be one nice day of weather left this year before the colder autumn and winter seasons make their presence known. Met Eireann has treated everyone with the good news that Ireland is expected to hit up to 25 degrees on Saturday, as temperatures are forecast to soar this weekend. This will be a nice break from the cooler conditions, heavy rain and thunderstorms. However, due to the lacklustre summer we have experienced this year, people will likely not be used to the sudden warm weather.
That’s why Irish households are being advised to close their blinds and curtains this weekend - at least during the peak sun hours. Houses in Ireland are built to keep in the heat as we experience 150 to 225 days of rain each year. When we do get a bit of good weather, the heat is trapped within the walls of our homes, leaving people to try and find some way to cool down as it can feel like we are in a sauna at times.
Closing your blinds will help to maintain a cooler temperature in your house and avoid unnecessary heat exposure. By keeping your curtains and blinds closed during the day, you will ensure any sunlight is deflected back out of the window. It is also a great tip if you suffer from hay fever and want your home to be a pollen-free zone.
If you are particularly sensitive to the heat and warmer temperatures, you can also spray your curtains with water to keep them damp and cool. If you do want to open some windows in your house in order to get some fresh air inside, it’s recommended that you do that when the sun is at its lowest - in the early mornings hours or in the late evenings. You can also open windows on opposite sides of the house to encourage air flow. This will help to get rid of any of the trapped warm air and it can introduce colder air.
Summer's Last Stand in the Midlands
Don't put the t-shirts away just yet, as we're set to see some summer temperatures this weekend. We could see highs of 24 degrees in the region. Warm air coming in from the east will bring temperatures of up to 24 degrees across the midlands. More cloudy conditions are promised for tomorrow making today the nicest people can expect with more sunny spells.
Offaly's Cathal Nolan, of Ireland's Weather Channel, says the region should remain clear of thunder over the weekend:
