Bright Monday Ahead Before Unsettled Midweek Brings Heavy Rain and Strong Winds

After overnight rain cleared Cork City this morning, Monday will bring a mostly dry day with bright or sunny spells, but conditions will turn unsettled from Tuesday night with two periods of wet and windy weather expected.

Monday 15 December: Bright and Dry

Following the clearance of early morning rain, the rest of Monday will remain mostly dry with bright or sunny spells developing across Cork. A few isolated showers may feed in from the Atlantic during the afternoon, but these will be brief and light.

Afternoon temperatures will reach 6 to 10 degrees with a mostly light southwesterly or variable breeze. It will feel relatively pleasant given the sunshine and light winds.

Tonight will be chilly and largely dry with long clear spells. A few isolated showers may still drift in from the Atlantic, but most areas will stay dry. A touch of frost is possible in sheltered spots with lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees. Some mist and fog patches may form with the light southerly or variable breeze.

Tuesday 16 December: Calm Before the Rain

Tuesday will be mostly sunny and dry with just a few isolated showers feeding in from the Atlantic. However, cloud will start to build from the west towards nightfall as an Atlantic low approaches.

Highest afternoon temperatures will reach 4 to 9 degrees with a mostly light southwesterly breeze, though winds will strengthen towards nightfall as conditions begin to deteriorate.

Tuesday night will see conditions worsen. Starting off clear over eastern areas, cloud will spread across the county from the west with outbreaks of rain and drizzle following. Temperatures will drop to 1 to 4 degrees under clear skies early in the night before becoming milder. Southerly winds will strengthen through the night, becoming fresh to strong and gusty, with gales possible along coasts.

Wednesday 17 December: Clearing to Brighter Conditions

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will become patchier as they clear eastwards through Wednesday morning and afternoon. A mix of sunny spells and scattered showers will follow from the west.

It will be milder than previous days with highest afternoon temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees. While winds will ease through the morning, it will remain breezy with moderate to fresh southwesterly winds, stronger on western and northwestern coasts.

Wednesday night will see showers become less frequent, with dry conditions developing for most areas. Some clear spells are expected with lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds will ease towards morning.

Thursday 18 December: Wet and Windy Returns

Thursday will bring wet and windy weather, though exact details remain uncertain. Persistent rain, heavy at times, will affect Cork in the morning and afternoon with a risk of localised flooding. As this clears eastwards, showers will feed in from the Atlantic, some heavy with a risk of hail or isolated thunderstorms.

Highest afternoon temperatures will reach 7 to 10 degrees. Moderate to fresh southerly winds will veer southwesterly and increase fresh to strong, with gales possible on western coasts.

Friday 19 December: Improving Conditions

Current indications suggest Friday will be a drier day with sunny spells and scattered showers feeding into Atlantic coastal areas. Highest afternoon temperatures will reach 7 to 10 degrees with moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.

Travel Advice

Motorists should be aware of two periods of challenging conditions this week. Tuesday night will bring rain, drizzle and strengthening winds with gales possible along coasts. Conditions will improve through Wednesday before deteriorating again on Thursday with heavy rain, strong winds and a risk of surface water on roads. Allow extra time for journeys, reduce speed on wet roads and watch for standing water, particularly on low-lying routes.

Further unsettled conditions are expected for the weekend with more rain and showers, though more settled weather may develop from early next week.