Unsettled Weather Ahead: Rain, Wind and Reduced Visibility Expected Across Cork

Cork residents should prepare for a period of unsettled weather over the coming days, with Met Éireann and detailed forecast models both predicting persistent rain, gusty winds and reduced visibility from Thursday through to early next week. While today remains relatively calm, conditions will deteriorate significantly from Friday onwards.

Today's dull and misty conditions across Cork mark the beginning of an unsettled spell that will see multiple bands of rain sweep across Munster over the next five days. Motorists using major routes including the N40, M8 and coastal roads should allow extra time for journeys and exercise caution, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Thursday: Mild but Misty

Thursday brings a dreary start with fog patches reducing visibility across the county, particularly on higher ground and rural routes. Patchy drizzle will linger through the morning, though rainfall rates will remain light at less than 2mm per hour. Temperatures will hover between 12°C and 14°C overnight and through the morning, climbing to around 16°C by afternoon in the city centre.

Light southerly winds of 10 to 20 km/h will freshen slightly through the afternoon, reaching 20 to 30 km/h. Limited bright spells may break through the persistent cloud cover, but Cork residents shouldn't expect much sunshine. The mild conditions reflect the slack pressure gradient over Munster, with both European and American forecast models showing good agreement on these benign conditions.

Thursday Night: Deterioration Begins

Tonight will remain mostly cloudy with patchy light rain and drizzle continuing. Mist and hill fog will persist, reducing visibility on elevated routes including the roads around Glanmire and Blarney. Temperatures will fall back to between 8 & 11°C, remaining mild for early November.

The first significant weather feature will arrive before dawn on Friday, with a band of more persistent rain pushing into West Cork towards morning. Southeasterly winds will begin to freshen, particularly along the coast, as this organised rain band approaches.

Friday: Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds

Friday brings the first significant bout of wet weather. The rain band will arrive before dawn, bringing moderate rainfall with peak rates of 5 to 8mm per hour and poor visibility on exposed routes, including the N71 coast road and approaches to Cork Airport.

The widespread rain will spread slowly northeastwards through the morning and afternoon, affecting Cork city centre during the morning commute. Southeasterly winds will freshen considerably, with gusts rising to 50 to 60 km/h near coastal areas including Crosshaven, Myrtleville and Fountainstown. Inland areas will see slightly lighter winds but still expect gusts around 40 to 50 km/h.

As the rain band passes, conditions will turn patchier by mid-afternoon, with drier intervals developing. Winds will veer westerly behind the rain and ease to 30 to 50 km/h by evening. Temperatures will remain mild, ranging from 11°C to 14°C, though it will feel cooler in the wind and rain.

There remains some uncertainty about how quickly the rain will clear, with European models suggesting more persistent showers through the afternoon than American forecasts indicate. Either way, Friday will be a thoroughly wet day requiring umbrellas and waterproofs.

Saturday: Brief Respite, Then More Rain

Saturday morning offers a brief respite, with mostly dry conditions under a transient ridge of high pressure. Early risers may encounter some mist or fog patches in light southeasterly breezes of 15 to 25 km/h, with temperatures around 8°C to 10°C.

However, this calm won't last. Shortly after dawn, a new Atlantic system will push showers into West Cork, some of which could be heavy with local rainfall rates of 3 to 6mm per hour. Through midday and afternoon, these showers will become more widespread and may merge into longer spells of rain.

The best of any sunny spells will favour northern parts of Cork, while southern areas including the city, Kinsale and Bandon will see the most frequent showers. Temperatures will reach 11°C to 14°C, with winds freshening to 20 to 35 km/h from the southeast, gusting to 40 to 50 km/h at times.

Towards evening, cloud will build from the southwest, followed by a more organised band of rain arriving with stronger winds. Gusts could reach 60 km/h, especially near the coast, and visibility will be reduced in heavier downpours. Temperatures will fall back to 10°C to 12°C overnight as this system moves through.

There is considerable uncertainty about the timing and intensity of Saturday's weather systems, with forecast models differing on when the evening rain will arrive and how strong it will be.

Sunday: Persistent Rain Clears to Showers

Sunday morning will see persistent rain continuing from overnight, with moderate to heavy rates of 4 to 7mm per hour, especially across southern Cork. Southeasterly winds will be gusty, reaching 50 to 70 km/h at times, and visibility will be poor, particularly on higher routes and exposed coastal roads.

The rain band will slowly move northeastwards as the associated low-pressure system tracks across Ireland. Once it clears, conditions will improve to sunny spells and scattered heavy showers by afternoon. Winds will veer southwesterly and ease to 30 to 50 km/h, with temperatures peaking at 12°C to 14°C.

By evening, showers will become less frequent, allowing longer clear spells to develop. Winds will drop further to 25 to 45 km/h, though isolated gusts remain possible near any showers. A weak ridge will begin to build, bringing rising pressure and a quieter end to the day, with temperatures falling to 10°C to 12°C overnight.

Monday: Showers Return

Monday will start mostly dry with some clear intervals and temperatures between 6°C and 9°C, the coolest morning of this forecast period. Light southeasterly winds around 15 to 25 km/h will keep conditions fresh.

Scattered showers will develop through the morning, mainly affecting western parts of Cork at first, including Macroom, Bandon and Clonakilty. These will spread to other areas during the afternoon, with moderate rainfall rates around 2 to 4mm per hour. Temperatures will reach only 10°C to 12°C, feeling cooler than recent days, and winds will freshen to 20 to 35 km/h from the southeast.

Travel Advice

Motorists should expect periods of heavy rain, gusty winds and reduced visibility between Thursday and Monday. The most significant impacts are likely on Friday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning, when rainfall will be heaviest and winds strongest.

Cork County Council and Cork City Council advise drivers to slow down on wet roads, increase following distances and allow extra time for journeys. Surface water may accumulate on roads during the heavier bursts of rain, particularly in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Cyclists and motorcyclists should take extra care in wet and windy conditions.

The unsettled pattern looks set to continue into next week, with low pressure dominating Ireland's weather and bringing further spells of rain. However, temperatures will remain relatively mild for November, with no cold snaps expected in the immediate forecast period.