It's Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, and if you're looking out the window, you're probably seeing a familiar sight for early autumn in Ireland: grey skies and a bit of dampness. Met Éireann has laid out the details for us, and it looks like we're in for a generally dull and humid day across the country, with some lingering rain and milder temperatures, especially in the southeast.

Let's break down what you can expect from the weather today, tonight, and as we head into the weekend. It seems the unsettled pattern is set to stick around for a while, so it's a good idea to keep that rain gear handy.

What to Expect Today: Wednesday, September 2nd

Today is going to be one of those days where the phrase "dull, damp, and humid" really hits the nail on the head. We've had some heavier, more persistent rain moving through, and thankfully, that should clear from most areas as the morning wears on. However, if you're in Ulster, you might find that rain hanging around a bit longer.

Even after the main band of rain moves off, don't put the umbrella away just yet. We're looking at patchier outbreaks of rain, drizzle, and mist continuing throughout the day. It's that kind of weather that just makes everything feel a bit… sticky.

Now, for those of us clinging to the last vestiges of summer, there's a tiny glimmer of hope. Some limited sunny spells might actually break through as the day progresses, particularly if you're further south and east. So, if you're in Wexford or Wicklow, you might just catch a bit of sunshine later on.

Temperature-wise, it's going to be a mild day. We're looking at highs of 16 to 22 degrees. The warmest spots will definitely be in the east and southeast, which makes sense given where those potential sunny spells are predicted. Winds will be light to moderate southeasterly, but they'll shift to southwesterly and pick up a bit as the day goes on. So, if you're planning any outdoor activities, bear that in mind.

Tonight's Forecast

As Wednesday turns into night, things will start off mostly cloudy with showers scattered about. Nothing too dramatic, just those typical Irish scattered showers.

However, as the night progresses, we should see more frequent clear spells. This is good news if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars, or just prefer a less oppressive sky. It's going to be a mild night overall, which is pretty pleasant for early September. Lowest temperatures will range from 11 degrees in the north, feeling a bit cooler up there, to a very mild 16 degrees in the south. A light to moderate southwesterly breeze will keep things moving.

Looking Ahead to Tomorrow: Thursday, September 3rd

Thursday starts off on a somewhat optimistic note. Many areas will see a dry start, with just a few showers lurking around and even some sunny spells. It might trick you into thinking the weather has decided to behave.

But don't be fooled. Cloud will begin to build from the west throughout the morning and afternoon, and with that cloud comes rain. Most areas can expect rain to arrive through the afternoon and evening. And when it arrives, it won't be shy; Met Éireann is warning that the rain will be heavy and persistent at times. So, Thursday afternoon and evening could be a washout for many.

Temperatures for Thursday will range from 16 degrees in the northwest to a warmer 21 degrees in the southeast. Winds will be moderate to fresh southwesterly, adding a bit of a blustery feel to the day, especially once that rain rolls in.

The National Outlook: An Unsettled Week Ahead

If you were hoping for a return to settled, sunny weather, I'm afraid the national outlook from Met Éireann suggests otherwise. The overview is clear: we're turning wet and breezy at times as unsettled conditions are set to continue for the remainder of the week and right into the weekend. It looks like autumn is really making its presence felt.

Thursday Night

Thursday night kicks off wet with widespread rain, which could be heavy at times. This rain will track southeastwards through the night, eventually clearing the south of the country towards morning. Drier and clearer conditions will follow in its wake, though you can expect a few showers to feed into the northwest. Temperatures will dip to between 11 and 15 degrees, with mostly light to moderate southwesterly winds, though they'll be stronger near southern and northwestern coasts.

Friday

Friday will be a breezy day, but with some sunny spells mixed in with scattered showers. The showers will predominantly affect the northern half of the country, particularly Ulster, so if you're in the south, you might be lucky enough to stay dry for the day. It will feel cooler than the previous days, with highs ranging from 15 degrees in the northwest to 18 degrees in the southeast. Moderate to fresh westerly winds will be a feature of the day.

Friday Night

Thankfully, Friday night looks like it will offer a brief respite. Most areas can expect dry and clear conditions, with just a few showers lingering around western and northern coastal areas. Temperatures will drop to between 9 and 12 degrees, and those westerly winds will ease to light to moderate southwesterly.

Saturday

Just when you thought it might be clearing up, Saturday brings more unsettled weather. We're looking at a wet and breezy afternoon as rain spreads across the country from the southwest. There's still a bit of uncertainty about the exact details, but current indications suggest the heaviest and most persistent rain will hit the west and north. Temperatures will be between 16 and 19 degrees, with southerly winds picking up to moderate to fresh.

Sunday

Sunday continues the breezy theme, with further rain or showers throughout the day, though these should ease off in the evening. It will be warmer again, with highs of 18 to 22 degrees, and moderate to fresh southerly winds will shift to northwesterly.

Further Outlook

Looking beyond the weekend, Met Éireann predicts that the unsettled conditions will continue into next week. We can expect more wet and windy spells, and temperatures are expected to turn cooler towards the middle of the week.

So, there you have it: a fairly typical early September forecast for Ireland. A mixed bag, with plenty of rain, some mild temperatures, and a fair bit of breeze. Make sure to check the latest updates from Met Éireann (https://www.met.ie/) before you head out, especially if you have plans that depend on the weather. It looks like we'll all be reaching for our raincoats and umbrellas quite a bit over the coming days.