The extended range forecast, which includes the monthly and seasonal forecasts, can at times provide an insight into weather patterns in the months ahead. However, they should not be used for specific planning purposes as they have generally low skill compared with the 10-day forecast. This is because forecasts beyond one week become increasingly uncertain due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere. Further information can be found here: Monthly and seasonal forecast explained.
Images: Shutterstock/gabriel12. Met Éireann HQ during Storm Emma 2018
Issued: Friday 20th March 2026 12:00
Week 1 – Monday 23rd March to Sunday 29th March
Ireland will lie in a predominantly west to northwest airflow during this period, with high pressure to the southwest
and low pressure to the northeast. This will bring showers and rain at times, particularly to northern and western
areas. Precipitation amounts will be above average in these regions as a result but it will be slightly drier than
normal across the rest of the country. Temperatures will be around average for most areas, though will be
marginally above normal in western and southwestern coastal counties. Some nighttime frosts are possible,
especially in inland areas.
Week 2 – Monday 30th March to Sunday 05th April
High pressure is signalled to have more of an influence during week 2, bringing more settled conditions for the
start of April. Rainfall amounts will be below average as a result, though occasional showers or outbreaks of rain
are still possible. Temperatures will be approximately normal across the country.
Week 3 – Monday 06th April to Sunday 12th April
There is a signal that high pressure will remain dominant in week three, with the settled conditions persisting. It
will be drier than average for most areas, though rainfall amounts may be slightly closer to normal on southern
coasts. Temperatures will remain around normal.
Week 4 – Monday 13th April to Sunday 19th April
Confidence in the forecast is low for week 4. Current indications suggest that low pressure will have more of an
influence on our weather during this period, potentially bringing wetter than average conditions as outbreaks of
rain and showers affect the country. Temperatures will remain around average.
Seasonal Outlook for April, May, and June (AMJ) forecast
The signal from the C3S seasonal models for Ireland during the AMJ period is for above average temperatures. Rainfall amounts are less certain with the possibility of precipitation trending near average overall.
Mean temperatures during AMJ are signalled to be above average overall. Temperatures are likely to trend between 0.2 and 1.0°C above average generally. The potential for warmer than average temperatures increases through the period.
The rainfall forecast is less certain with no clear signal for above or below average rainfall overall. There is potential for both wetter and drier spells within the three months.
The sea surface temperatures around Irish coasts and over the Atlantic are expected to be above average during AMJ, trending 0.2 to 1.0°C degrees higher than normal generally. Sea surface temperatures are expected to be highest in comparison to average away from northwest coasts.