As Thursday, September 17, 2026, begins, autumn's presence is clear across Ireland. While today will be fresh and a bit blustery, there will be plenty of sunny spells between scattered showers. If you're heading out, a good waterproof and a layer or two will definitely be useful.

Let's look at the specifics of the Ireland weather forecast for today and what to expect as the weekend approaches.

Today's Snapshot: Thursday 17th September

We're looking at a distinctly autumnal day. Met Éireann, our national meteorological service, is forecasting fresh and blustery conditions. Don't let that deter you, because those sunny spells will appear. Showers will be most frequent this morning and early afternoon, so if you have errands, you might want to get them done before lunchtime. By evening, those showers should become more isolated, giving us a drier end to the day.

Temperatures today will range from 13 to 17 degrees Celsius. It's not sweltering, but perfectly pleasant for this time of year, especially when the sun is out. Winds will be moderate to fresh and gusty westerly, particularly strong in some coastal areas. If you live by the sea, you'll certainly feel it. These winds are expected to moderate as the evening draws in. So, whether you're planning a coastal walk or just popping to the shops, keep that wind in mind.

I always find that these blustery days, where the sun fights its way through the clouds, can be some of the most beautiful. The light can be incredible, especially if you're out taking photos. Just make sure your phone or camera is securely tucked away when those gusts hit!

What to Expect Tonight

Tonight, the Ireland weather forecast suggests mostly dry conditions with clear spells. This means a good chance for some stargazing if you're away from city lights, at least initially. There might be a few isolated showers lingering from earlier, but they should be few and far between.

As the night progresses, cloud will begin to build from the west. This is a precursor to some patchy rain and drizzle, which is expected to develop for northwestern parts of the country by morning. Lowest temperatures will be between 8 and 13 degrees Celsius. Winds will be mostly moderate west or southwest, but will remain fresher for northern and western coasts. So, if you're in Donegal or Mayo, you might notice a bit more of a breeze through the night.

It sounds like a fairly standard September night, cool but not freezing, and a good chance to get the washing in if you forgot earlier in the day.

Looking Ahead to Friday 18th September

Friday is shaping up to be a bit more unsettled. The day will start mostly cloudy, but largely dry for a while. However, outbreaks of rain are expected to extend eastwards across all areas through the morning. This will also bring mist and hill fog, which could affect visibility, especially for those traveling through higher ground.

The good news is that the rain will become patchier in the afternoon. By the evening, it should clear to showers in the north and west. Highest temperatures for Friday will be a little warmer, ranging from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. Winds will be moderate to fresh and gusty southwest, with exposed coasts feeling the brunt of it.

If you've got plans for Friday, particularly anything outdoors, it's probably best to have a backup plan that involves being indoors, or at least having a very reliable umbrella!

The Weekend and Beyond: A National Outlook

Now, for what many of us are really interested in: the weekend Ireland weather forecast. The general overview from Met Éireann is that things are set to become drier and more settled as high pressure begins to build. That's music to my ears, and I'm sure to yours too!

Friday night looks mostly cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle, along with mist and hill fog. This will become confined to southern areas as clear spells and isolated showers follow from the northwest. Temperatures won't fall below 11 to 15 degrees, with moderate to fresh west or southwest winds.

Saturday promises a better day. Rain, drizzle, and mist will clear from southern areas in the morning, leaving a mix of sunny spells and well-scattered showers. These showers will be most frequent over the northern half of the country. Temperatures will see a noticeable jump, ranging from 15 degrees in the northwest to a lovely 20 degrees in the southeast. All this will be accompanied by moderate to fresh westerly winds, stronger in the northwest. That 20-degree mark in the southeast sounds like a real treat for mid-September!

Saturday night should be mostly dry with clear spells and just a few showers, mainly in the northwest. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees, with westerly winds decreasing to light to moderate. A perfect evening for a quiet one in, or perhaps a stroll if the skies are clear enough.

Sunday continues the trend of mostly dry weather, offering a mix of cloud and sunny spells. There might be a few stray showers, mainly in the north and west. Cloud will thicken later in the southwest and west, with a chance of a little drizzle. Highest temperatures will be between 14 and 18 degrees, with light, occasionally moderate westerly or variable breezes. A good day for getting out and about, perhaps a walk in one of Ireland's many beautiful parks or a visit to a local market.

As we head into Monday, it looks set to be mild and rather cloudy, with some bright or sunny spells developing. While there will be a good deal of dry weather overall, patchy rain and drizzle will occur, along with some mist and hill fog. Highest temperatures are expected to be between 17 and 21 degrees in light, occasionally moderate southwesterly winds. That's a lovely mild start to the working week for mid-September!

Further into the week, current indications suggest that high pressure will be the main driver of our weather. This means plenty of dry weather, though some rain or showers can't be ruled out entirely. Highs are expected to reach the high teens to low twenties. So, it seems like we're in for a fairly settled and pleasant spell of autumn weather.

Overall, it's a mixed bag for the next few days, but with a definite trend towards more settled conditions. Always a good idea to check the latest updates directly from Met Éireann before you head out, especially if you have significant plans. Enjoy the sunny spells today, and try to make the most of the milder temperatures coming our way!