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
MONTHLY FORECAST, ISSUED FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2025
Week 1 (Monday 24 February to Sunday 02 March)
Unsettled weather is forecast for the last week of February into the start of March, with low pressure systems passing to the north of Ireland and higher pressure to the south. This will place Ireland in a generally westerly airflow, with showers and spells of rain moving in. This would result in above normal precipitation across the country but also above average temperatures. Rain warnings are possible.
Week 2 (Monday 03 March to Sunday 09 March)
Low pressure is forecast to continue dominating, bringing further unsettled conditions. Precipitation is expected to be above normal across the country, but again temperatures are forecast to be above average. Weather warnings are a possibility.
Week 3 (Monday 10 March to Sunday 16 March)
The signal for Week 3 is for less unsettled weather, particularly in the southeast where precipitation is expected to be around normal. However, it is likely to be unsettled at times, with the west and north still receiving above average rainfall amounts. Temperatures are expected to continue trending above normal for March. Weather warnings cannot be ruled out.
Week 4 (Monday 17 March to Sunday 23 March)
Current indications are that low pressure will remain the dominant factor during Week 4, bringing unsettled weather with above average precipitation nationwide. Temperatures are forecast to stay above normal again during this week. Weather warnings cannot be ruled out at this stage.
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. Rainfall amounts are less certain with the possibility of precipitation trending below average overall.
Mean temperatures during MAM are signalled to be above average overall. Temperatures are likely to trend between 0.5 and 1.0°C above average over the three-month period. March may see temperatures over Ireland trending 1.0 to 2.0°C above average.
The rainfall forecast is less certain, though there is the potential for drier spells, especially in April.
The sea surface temperatures around Irish coasts are expected to be above average during MAM, trending 0.5 to 1.0°C degrees higher than normal.