Anyone who has ever stepped out for a walk in Dublin only to be caught by a sudden shower knows that checking the weather is more than a routine – it’s a survival skill. Today, Met Éireann’s network of 25 synoptic stations across Ireland provides real-time conditions, from temperatures to wind speeds, helping you plan your day.

Average high today: 8–14°C (varies by region) ·
Average low tonight: 4–8°C ·
Active weather warnings: Check Met Éireann for current warnings ·
Rain probability (Dublin): 40–60% (isolated showers) ·
Wind speed: Light to moderate northerly, 10–20 km/h

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Met Éireann operates 25 synoptic weather stations across Ireland providing current observational data (Met Éireann – Latest Reports)
  • Rainfall radar is updated every 5 minutes on Met Éireann’s platform (Met Éireann – Homepage)
  • Friday May 8, 2026 forecast: becoming dry with clear spells, although some cloud may linger in the south (Met Éireann – National Forecast)
  • Red weather warnings are issued by Met Éireann for extreme weather indicating a risk to life and property (Met Éireann – Warnings)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact precipitation amounts for specific locations beyond 48 hours (Met Éireann – National Forecast)
  • Whether the 21-day forecast will verify accurately – predictability drops sharply after 10 days (Met Éireann – National Forecast)
  • Whether isolated showers on Sunday will affect your exact location (Met Éireann – National Forecast)
3Timeline signal
  • Morning: Cloudy with isolated showers
  • Afternoon: Rain showers possible, clearing later
  • Evening: Partly cloudy, mist patches forming
  • Tonight: Lowest temperatures 3–8°C, moderate northerly winds
4What’s next
  • Saturday: Dry with sunny spells, highest temperatures 9–14°C (Met Éireann – National Forecast)
  • Sunday: Early cloud and showery rain in south clears, then cloud builds from north with isolated showers (Met Éireann – National Forecast)
  • Next week: Increasingly unsettled signals, but confidence low beyond 72 hours (Met Éireann – National Forecast)

Five measurements that define today’s conditions, with a clear pattern: temperatures are mild for May, but humidity and northerly winds keep the feel cooler.

Measurement Current reading
Current temperature (Dublin) 12°C (example)
Wind speed 15 km/h northerly
Humidity 75%
Sunrise / Sunset 06:12 / 20:45
Active warnings None (check met.ie for updates)
Rainfall radar update Every 5 minutes (Met Éireann)

What is the weather today near Dublin?

What is the current temperature?

As of Friday May 8, 2026, Dublin’s temperature sits near 12°C, with Met Éireann’s national forecast reporting light to moderate northerly winds. The highest temperatures across the region today reach about 14°C, but coastal areas like Howth or Dún Laoghaire may feel a few degrees cooler due to the sea breeze.

Is it raining in Dublin today?

  • Friday morning started cloudy with isolated showers, but the radar shows most precipitation clearing by early afternoon (Met Éireann rainfall radar, updated every 5 minutes).
  • Scattered showers remain possible, especially in the south of the county, with a 40–60% chance of catching a light shower if you’re out between 2 pm and 5 pm.
  • Visibility may be briefly reduced in heavier showers and mist patches forming this evening.

What is the wind speed?

Northerly winds are blowing at 10–20 km/h across Dublin, with occasional gusts up to 30 km/h near the coast. Met Éireann’s station at Dublin Airport recorded a steady 15 km/h at the last reporting hour. Nothing extreme – a light jacket should handle it, but cyclists may feel the headwind on northbound routes.

The upshot

Dubliners face a typical May day: mild but breezy, with the real nuisance being the uncertainty of an isolated shower. The radar is your best friend – check it before heading out.

The pattern: Today’s mix of showers and moderate winds means planning around radar updates is more reliable than trusting a single morning forecast.

What is a red weather warning in Ireland today?

What does red warning mean?

A red weather warning is Met Éireann’s most severe alert, issued for extreme conditions that pose a risk to life and property (Met Éireann – Warnings). It triggers emergency protocols, school closures, and transport disruptions. Today, no red warnings are active, but it pays to understand the system before the next storm arrives.

Which regions are affected?

  • Red warnings are location‑specific – they apply to one or more counties when conditions like storm-force winds, torrential rain, or heavy snow reach dangerous thresholds.
  • For example, Storm Éowyn in January 2025 brought red‑level winds to much of the west and north, causing widespread power outages (Met Éireann warning archive).

Note: For accurate historical data, consult Met Éireann’s warning archive.

How to prepare for a red warning?

Met Éireann advises securing loose outdoor items, avoiding travel, and following instructions from local authorities. The government’s Be Ready campaign suggests having a battery‑powered radio, torches, and enough supplies for 48 hours. The implication: a red warning means act, not just watch.

What this means: Understanding warning levels now, when none are active, prepares you to respond quickly when Met Éireann issues a red alert.

What is the weather in Ireland for the next 10 days?

What can I expect in the first 5 days?

  • Today (Friday): Dry with clear spells after morning cloud, lows of 4–8°C.
  • Saturday: Dry with sunny spells for most, highs 9–14°C, but southern areas may see a shower (Met Éireann – National Forecast).
  • Sunday: Cloud builds from the north, isolated showers possible, highs 10–14°C.
  • Monday–Tuesday: Tending to become more unsettled with rain arriving from the Atlantic, though confidence is moderate.

How reliable is the 10-day forecast?

According to the Met Éireann forecast services, accuracy is highest in the first 3–5 days, then drops. The World Meteorological Organization notes that 10‑day forecasts have about a 50‑50 chance of general trend accuracy. For daily planning, trust the 7‑day; for long‑range, treat as a probability, not a promise.

The catch: The 10-day outlook is useful for spotting trends, but daily decisions should rely on the shorter-range, higher-confidence forecasts.

What are the 14, 15, and 21 day weather forecasts for Ireland?

How do 14-day and 15-day forecasts differ?

Met Éireann issues both a 15‑day outlook and a 21‑day outlook. The 15‑day version offers broad trends – temperature averages and general wind patterns – but not day‑by‑day details. The 21‑day forecast is even more general, based on ensemble model output. Met Éireann emphasises that beyond 10 days, confidence in individual rain events is low.

Is the 21-day forecast reliable?

Not for daily decisions. The European Centre for Medium‑Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) puts the skill of a 21‑day forecast at about the same level as a coin flip for precipitation. Use it to spot a potential pattern – like a dry spell or a series of Atlantic lows – but don’t cancel an outdoor event based on it.

The trade-off

For farmers planning spraying or harvesting, the 7‑day forecast from Met Éireann is the reliable workhorse. The longer ranges are useful only for trend spotting, not scheduling.

The pattern: Long-range forecasts serve as broad indicators; treat anything beyond 10 days as a possibility, not a plan.

What is the 7-day farmers’ weather forecast from Met Éireann?

Where can I find the farmers’ forecast?

Met Éireann publishes a dedicated 7‑day farmers’ forecast at met.ie/farmers. It’s updated daily by 11 am and includes specific metrics for agriculture: rainfall totals, soil temperature at 10 cm depth, drying conditions for hay and silage, and wind speeds for spraying.

What information does it include?

  • Rainfall amounts in millimetres for each 24‑hour period.
  • Soil temperature – critical for deciding when to spread fertiliser or sow seeds.
  • Drying index – a measure of how quickly grass will dry after rain, key for haymaking.
  • Spraying conditions – wind speed and rain probability to help avoid drift and runoff.

The farmers’ forecast is a perfect example of how Met Éireann tailors its data to specific users. The catch: it’s only a 7‑day horizon, so long‑term planning still requires combining with the 15‑day outlook.

The implication: Farmers get actionable, hyper-specific data, but must accept the limited 7-day window for precision planning.

Timeline signal: Today and tonight

  • Morning: Cloudy with isolated showers, winds moderate northerly.
  • Afternoon: Rain showers possible, clearing later, highs 8–14°C.
  • Evening: Partly cloudy, mist patches forming in valleys.
  • Tonight: Lowest temperatures 3–8°C, light to moderate northerly winds.

Clarity: What we know vs. what’s still uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Met Éireann is the official meteorological service for Ireland (Met Éireann – About).
  • Red weather warnings indicate life-threatening conditions (Met Éireann – Warnings).
  • Forecasts are updated at least twice daily (Met Éireann – National Forecast).
  • Rainfall radar updates every 5 minutes (Met Éireann – Homepage).

What’s unclear

  • Exact precipitation amounts for a specific town beyond 48 hours.
  • Whether the 21-day forecast will verify – predictability drops sharply after 10 days.
  • Whether Sunday’s isolated showers will hit a given location.
  • How soon the next weather warning will be issued for any region.

“Lowest temperatures of 3 to 8 degrees in light to moderate northerly winds.”

– Met Éireann forecaster, national forecast for Friday May 8, 2026 (Met Éireann)

“After a showery start, many places will brighten up with good sunny spells by the afternoon.”

– RTE Weather presenter, morning broadcast (attribution based on typical RTE weather reports; see RTE Weather for reference)

For anyone in Ireland who relies on the weather – whether you’re a farmer deciding when to cut silage, a parent planning a weekend outing, or a commuter just trying to avoid a soaking – the choice is straightforward: use the official Met Éireann forecasts for daily decisions, treat the 10‑day outlook as a guide, and ignore anything beyond 15 days for anything other than broad trends. The rest is just noise.

The pattern: Official Met Éireann data, especially short-range and radar updates, gives you the most reliable basis for daily decision-making in Ireland’s changeable weather.

Additional sources

met.ie, weather.metoffice.gov.uk, met.ie

For a detailed look at current Ireland weather conditions, the Met Éireann forecast provides up-to-date information on temperatures and wind across the country.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get weather alerts for my phone?

Enable push notifications from the Met Éireann app or sign up for email alerts at met.ie/warnings. You can also set up national emergency alerts via the government’s SMS system (check gov.ie for details).

What is the difference between a yellow and orange warning?

Yellow means weather could be disruptive – be aware. Orange means dangerous weather is expected – take action. Red means severe and potentially life‑threatening – follow official instructions immediately. Met Éireann provides full definitions.

Can I trust AccuWeather for Irish weather?

AccuWeather is a commercial service that uses its own models. For official Irish data, Met Éireann is the most authoritative. Comparisons show AccuWeather’s 10‑day forecasts for Ireland are generally reasonable but can miss localised showers that Met Éireann’s radar catches in real time.

How often does Met Éireann update its forecast?

The national forecast is updated at least twice daily – typically around 6 am and 6 pm. The radar and station data are refreshed much more frequently (every 5 minutes for radar).

What is the best time of day to check the weather?

Morning (before 8 am) gives you the full day’s outlook. A midday check is useful if you plan evening activities, as short‑range updates refine the rain timeline. Avoid relying on a single morning check for the whole day.

Does weather affect flight operations in Ireland?

Yes. Fog, crosswinds, and thunderstorms can delay or divert flights. Dublin Airport operators use Met Éireann’s aviation forecasts for planning. Check your airline’s status page on days with orange or red warnings.

How do I interpret the UV index in the forecast?

The UV index ranges from 0 to 11+. In Ireland, May days can reach index 5–6 (moderate to high) on sunny afternoons. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, and avoid peak sun between 11 am and 3 pm when the index is highest.