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
Forecast issued Friday, 06th of March 2026
Week 1 – Monday 09th March to Sunday 15th March
Low pressure is likely to dominate during week 1, with Atlantic mobility bringing spells of wet and blustery weather in from the west. There is a signal for slightly wetter than average rainfall amounts across the country, while the mean air temperatures are likely to be milder than average by a degree or two.
Week 2 – Monday 16th March to Sunday 22nd March
While confidence in week 2 is lower, there is a signal that high pressure will build from the southwest while low pressure maintains an influence in the north. As a result, current model indications show drier than average conditions in the south and east while conditions will continue slightly wetter than average in the north and northwest. Mean air temperatures are indicated to be close to average across the country.
Week 3 – Monday 23rd March to Sunday 29th March
There is increasing uncertainty in the forecast for week 3. There is a slight signal that conditions will be more unsettled than the previous week, but both rainfall amounts and mean air temperatures are indicated as being around average for this time of year.
Week 4 – Monday 30th March to Sunday 05th April
In week 4, the forecast confidence is low. There is a sign that high pressure will become more dominant with more settled conditions. Mean air temperatures are signalled to remain around average, while there is a signal for lower than average rainfall amounts.
Seasonal Outlook for March, April and May (MAM)
The signal from the C3S seasonal models for Ireland during the MAM period is for above average temperatures. There is potential for wetter than average conditions through the three months, particularly in March.
Mean temperatures during MAM 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 but there is potential for wetter than average conditions through MAM. There is a signal for wetter than normal conditions in March with potential then for both wetter and drier than normal conditions through April and May.
The sea surface temperatures around Irish coasts and over the Atlantic are expected to be above average during MAM, trending 0.2 to 1.0°C degrees higher than normal generally. Sea surface temperatures are expected to be highest in comparison to normal during May.