Cork Weather

Ireland sits in the path of moist Atlantic air and the moderating effect of the Gulf Stream. This keeps the temperatures fairly mild, despite its northern latitude. The weather can be very changeable, with sunny conditions one moment and heavy rain the next. During the winter, there can also be lengthy periods of rain or cloudy weather with no sunshine at all.

Summer

Cork is one of the drier and sunnier places in Ireland. During the summer months, it averages around six hours of sunshine daily, and average temperatures are 15°C to 20°C. Occasionally, the mercury may climb to 30°C. The weather is often changeable, so don't be fooled by good weather in the mornings - the sun may not last very long. On the other hand, if you wake up to pouring rain, all is not lost; the skies may clear by the afternoon. An added bonus of visiting during the summer is that the days stay light until around 23:00. 

Changeable weather

Spring and autumn are good times to plan a trip to Cork, as the temperatures are pleasantly mild and the attractions are free from crowds.  Expect showers and bright intervals and be prepared for what are known as 'soft' days; warm with fine misty rain that can last for hours. Ireland has a high level of precipitation year-round, so if you are here for more than a few days, you will almost certainly experience some rain. If you get an extended period of bad weather, remember what the Irish say: ‘it never rains in the pub’.

Winter can be an inhospitable time to visit, although it rarely gets that cold. Even in January and February, the average temperature is between 6°C and 7°C. The days are short and rain is frequent, so make sure you take a raincoat and umbrella. It's also worth remembering that some restaurants and guesthouses close down around October and don't re-open until Easter.

Average Temperature (°C)

50 38 25 12 0

Jan 5.2

Feb 5.1

Mar 6.3

Apr 7.9

May 10.3

Jun 13.1

Jul 15.0

Aug 14.7

Sep 12.8

Oct 10.4

Nov 7.2

Dec 6.1

Rainfall (mm)

130 98 65 32 0

Jan 125.1

Feb 94.1

Mar 85.8

Apr 67.0

May 68.0

Jun 61.9

Jul 68.4

Aug 82.3

Sep 83.1

Oct 105.9

Nov 112.2

Dec 127.3