Updated Saturday 13th December 2025, valid until further notice
Heavy rain will affect Ireland from later Saturday through Sunday
Overview
Meteorologist Gerry Murphy says:
‘The heavy, persistent rainfall forecasted will bring a high risk of river flooding across western parts of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal for later Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and into Monday 15th December, as the soils are saturated and river levels high. In recent weeks, the weather over Ireland has been very unsettled with spells of heavy rain moving across the country. Many rivers are swollen and approaching bank-full conditions.
On Saturday 13th December a weather front will move eastwards over Ireland with rain gradually spreading to all areas. The front will become slow-moving over the country. Spells of heavy rain will feed in from the southwest through Saturday night, Sunday and for a time on Sunday night. Predicted heavy rainfall for this weekend is likely to result in river flooding, particularly in flood-prone catchments. Waterlogged soils will reduce infiltration and increase overland flow. Large rivers may overflow their banks, while smaller tributaries may respond more rapidly and flood sooner. Western coastal and mountainous catchments are particularly at risk of river flooding during this event. The flood risk will persist from Saturday evening into Sunday and through the following days due to continued forecasted rainfall and slow drainage from saturated catchments.’
WARNINGS & IMPACTS:
Yellow and orange level rainfall warnings have been issued and can be viewed on Warnings & Advisories – Met Éireann – The Irish Meteorological Service
Impacts include:
- River and surface flooding
- Hazardous travelling conditions
- Poor visibility
For complete and up to date information on the warnings please check Warnings & Advisories – Met Éireann – The Irish Meteorological Service
Rainfall Forecast Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th December 2025
Meteorological Situation
Figure 1: The current ECMWF model prediction of the position of the jet stream at 12 noon Saturday 13th December
A strong westerly jetstream steers active weather systems across the Atlantic and over Ireland bringing spells of wet and sometimes windy weather over the country.
Figure 2: Airmass analysis chart at 0600UTC Saturday 13th December
A depression of 956hPa south of Greenland moves eastwards. As its associated weather fronts approach Ireland, a deepening depression will develop and will bring heavy rain and strong winds over Ireland on Saturday and Sunday. Wave features will cause the fronts to become slow-moving. This will mean that spells of heavy rain will move in over Ireland through Saturday night and Sunday, before eventually clearing early on Monday.
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN SEVERE WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
- Stay up-to date with the forecast and the warnings for your county on met.ie, the Met Éireann app or Met Éireann socials (@meteireann).
- Check in with your local authority and emergency management stakeholders (Irish Coast Guards, Gardaí, etc) via their websites and social channels to see how your area will be/is affected.
- Significant flooding possible in Leinster and Munster – stay away from swollen rivers, streams and flooded riverbanks – banks can collapse without warning.
- Avoid open riverbanks and canal paths in flood conditions – water levels and currents may be far stronger than usual.
- Slow down, increase stopping distances and watch for surface water and debris on roads
- If the road ahead is flooded, do not enter – turn around and find another route.
- Avoid contact with floodwater where possible; it may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals or sharp debris.
- Don’t try to walk, cycle or drive through flooded areas, the depth of the water can be deceiving.
- Remember: As little as 150mm of fast-flowing water can knock you off your feet and 300mm of fast-flowing water can move most cars off the road.
- Stay away from coastal areas, the Irish Coast Guard are appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”.
- Farmers in affected areas are advised to move vehicles, machinery and livestock to higher ground before flooding arrives, where possible.
- Ensure your mobile is phone is fully charged to enable communication in advance of the event and keep local emergency numbers in your phone.
- Keep a small amount of food, medical and water supplies in case it’s dangerous to step out of the home.
- ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. Monitor iein regards to power restoration times.
- Advance planning for flooding: You can consult the OPW flood maps, which show areas that may be at risk of flooding based on historical data (see floodinfo.ie).
- “Be Winter Ready”: Follow recommendations before, during and after the event on gov.ie – Be Winter Ready (www.gov.ie)
NOTE THAT:
The warnings are likely to be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ie and the Met Éireann apps to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
Heavy rain affecting Ireland on Saturday 13th and through Sunday 14th December
Updated Saturday 13th December 2025, valid until further notice
Heavy rain will affect Ireland from later Saturday through Sunday
Overview
Meteorologist Gerry Murphy says:
‘The heavy, persistent rainfall forecasted will bring a high risk of river flooding across western parts of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal for later Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and into Monday 15th December, as the soils are saturated and river levels high. In recent weeks, the weather over Ireland has been very unsettled with spells of heavy rain moving across the country. Many rivers are swollen and approaching bank-full conditions.
On Saturday 13th December a weather front will move eastwards over Ireland with rain gradually spreading to all areas. The front will become slow-moving over the country. Spells of heavy rain will feed in from the southwest through Saturday night, Sunday and for a time on Sunday night. Predicted heavy rainfall for this weekend is likely to result in river flooding, particularly in flood-prone catchments. Waterlogged soils will reduce infiltration and increase overland flow. Large rivers may overflow their banks, while smaller tributaries may respond more rapidly and flood sooner. Western coastal and mountainous catchments are particularly at risk of river flooding during this event. The flood risk will persist from Saturday evening into Sunday and through the following days due to continued forecasted rainfall and slow drainage from saturated catchments.’
WARNINGS & IMPACTS:
Yellow and orange level rainfall warnings have been issued and can be viewed on Warnings & Advisories – Met Éireann – The Irish Meteorological Service
Impacts include:
For complete and up to date information on the warnings please check Warnings & Advisories – Met Éireann – The Irish Meteorological Service
Rainfall Forecast Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th December 2025
Meteorological Situation
Figure 1: The current ECMWF model prediction of the position of the jet stream at 12 noon Saturday 13th December
A strong westerly jetstream steers active weather systems across the Atlantic and over Ireland bringing spells of wet and sometimes windy weather over the country.
Figure 2: Airmass analysis chart at 0600UTC Saturday 13th December
A depression of 956hPa south of Greenland moves eastwards. As its associated weather fronts approach Ireland, a deepening depression will develop and will bring heavy rain and strong winds over Ireland on Saturday and Sunday. Wave features will cause the fronts to become slow-moving. This will mean that spells of heavy rain will move in over Ireland through Saturday night and Sunday, before eventually clearing early on Monday.
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN SEVERE WEATHER – BE WINTER READY
NOTE THAT:
The warnings are likely to be updated. Please keep in touch with Met Éireann’s social media channels, www.met.ie and the Met Éireann apps to stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings’ updates.
The timing and location of extreme weather occurrences can significantly affect their impact. It’s important to note that in any individual weather event, not every location within a warning area may experience the same degree of weather or impacts.
When severe weather is expected, weather and impacts at lower levels are also likely to be experienced. The type and level of impacts can be strongly affected by previous weather conditions. When issuing a warning, Met Éireann takes into consideration the forecasted conditions and thresholds, as well as previous weather conditions that may increase the level of impact expected for particular areas.
Eolas Fúinn