Mountaineering Ireland provides advice to help people enjoy Ireland’s mountains safely and responsibly.
Check out their advice for Happy Hiking and additional considerations for Walking in Winter.
- Remember to check the latest weather forecast and find out the time of dusk.
- Be prepared to alter the route to meet the needs and interests of the group, and the weather conditions.
- Remember wind speed increases and temperature decreases as you go uphill.
You can get a 48 hour weather forecast for mountain peaks on our website using the search box above or on the Met Éireann app, or select a mountain from any of the dropdown widgets below for each province:
Warning: Air temperature forecast data takes account of elevation for the first 48 hours only. Currently all other forecast data only applies to ground level conditions.
Munster
Connacht
Leinster
Ulster
Or you can get a 10-day forecast for any location in Ireland on the desktop version of our website homepage – simply zoom into the Weather Map and click anywhere on the island of Ireland. The hourly forecast above it will update to that location. This feature is also available on Android Chrome browser by ticking the Desktop site option.
www.met.ie homepage on desktop – zoom in and click on weather map
High Wind in the Mountains and the Impact on Hikers
High wind in the mountains can be a real game changer, it can have a profound effect on safety and morale. It can make it feel much colder than it actually is (wind chill effect), and can be unpredictable in direction and speed.
-Excerpt above and table below credit: Russell Mills. The full article is available at Mountaintrails.ie
| Wind speed in km/hr | Effect on you | What should you do? |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 20 | Negligible | Continue as planned |
| 20-30 | Unlikely to affect your balance or control. At these windspeeds in winter a temperature of 0C will have an equivalent wind chill of around-10C. | Add an extra warm layer.Prevent small items from blowing loose.
Goggles will be useful in winter conditions. |
| 30-40 | You will begin to feel the buffeting effect of the wind. Progress into a head wind will become more laboured. It will be harder to maintain your balance when walking. | Keep way from steep and exposed ridge lines. Secure your map and tie down loose clothing and secure toggles to prevent them whipping around. |
| 40-50 | Walking will become more difficult. Energy output will be significantly increased. Expect a greater risk of being blown sideways and off balance. | Consider changing your route to avoid a head or cross wind. Be prepared to shorten the day. Check companions for signs of hypothermia and frost nip, particularly in winter.Navigation will become more difficult. |
| 50-60 | Walking will become very challenging. There is a strong chance of being blown off your feet. | Link arms with weaker members of your group. Try to move between the worst gusts. Get off the hill by the safest and easiest route keeping away from steep windward drops. |
| 60-70 | As above | If you must venture out in these conditions then keep to the valley floor. |
Lenticular cloud over Croagh Patrick. Photo by Emily Gleeson
Inversion on Faha Ridge, Kerry. Photo by Emily Gleeson