As Sunday, August 16th, 2026, begins, Ireland presents a mixed bag of weather. If you're making plans, expect typical Irish conditions: plenty of cloud, a touch of drizzle, but also a definite hint of warmer weather on the horizon. I think we're all ready for that, aren't we?

Sunday Morning: A Patchwork of Cloud and Drizzle

This morning, skies are mostly cloudy across the country. Those in Ulster, Connacht, west Munster, and north Leinster can expect some light rain and drizzle. It's nothing too heavy, just that classic Irish 'soft day' feel. You know the one: where you're not quite sure if you need a full raincoat or just a light jacket. I usually err on the side of caution and grab the umbrella anyway, just in case.

Temperatures this morning are comfortably between 16 and 22 degrees. This is pretty decent for mid-August, even with the cloud cover. A light to moderate southwest breeze will keep things feeling fresh, especially along the coasts. So, if you're out for an early walk, it won't be too blustery.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening: Drizzle Spreads, Mildness Lingers

As the day progresses, that patchy light rain or drizzle will start to extend its reach. South Leinster and east Munster will likely see some of it during the afternoon and into the evening. It's not the kind of rain that'll spoil your plans entirely, but it's enough to make you consider an indoor activity or at least a sheltered spot for Sunday lunch.

Tonight, the good news is that the patchy drizzle in the east and south should clear up. We're looking at a mild and mainly dry night, which is always a welcome relief. There will be a fair amount of cloud hanging around, but also some clear breaks. I find those clear breaks are always a nice surprise, sometimes offering a glimpse of the stars.

One thing to watch out for tonight is the potential for some mist and fog patches to develop. If you're driving late, keep an eye on visibility. Temperatures won't be dropping much, staying between 12 and 16 degrees, with mostly light westerly breezes. It's the kind of mild night where you might even leave a window open.

Looking Ahead to Monday: Warmth on the Horizon

Monday, August 17th, is shaping up to be a warmer and more humid day, which I'm sure many of us will appreciate. The south of the country can expect some sunny spells, which is always a morale booster. However, further north, it'll be cloudier, with a continuation of patchy rain or drizzle.

During the afternoon, the rain in the northwest is expected to become heavier, spreading over Connacht and Ulster. So, while the south basks, the north might be reaching for the heavier rain gear.

Temperatures for Monday will range from 17 to 19 degrees in west Connacht and north Ulster. Elsewhere, we're looking at a much warmer 20 to 25 degrees, with the warmest spots likely in the south. Light to moderate westerly winds will be present. It sounds like a perfect day for a trip to the beach in the south, assuming you don't mind a bit of humidity.

The National Outlook: A Week of Mixed Conditions

Met Éireann's national outlook for the coming week suggests a pattern of mixed conditions. We're in for some rain or showers at times, but also plenty of dry intervals. Temperatures will generally be in the high teens in the northwest, rising to the low or mid twenties in the south and east. It seems like the country will be split between cooler, wetter conditions and warmer, drier ones.

On Monday night, that rain we mentioned for the northwest will spread southeastwards across Ireland. It's expected to be heaviest in the northwest, becoming lighter and patchier as it moves towards the southeast. It will remain mild, with temperatures not falling below 13 to 17 degrees, and mostly moderate westerly winds, which will be fresher along Atlantic coasts.

Tuesday will bring a fair amount of cloud and scattered showers. These showers should become more isolated later in the day, with better sunny spells developing. Temperatures will be a bit cooler than Monday, ranging from 16 to 17 degrees in the northwest to 22 or 23 degrees in the southeast, accompanied by moderate to fresh westerly winds.

Tuesday night looks mainly dry, though some showers are expected in the west and northwest, becoming heavier by Wednesday morning. Lowest temperatures will be between 10 and 13 degrees, with moderate west to southwest winds.

Wednesday will see those showers from the west and northwest spreading to all areas. Some of them could be heavy or prolonged, so keep that in mind for your mid week plans. Highest temperatures will be 16 to 20 degrees, with moderate, occasionally fresh westerly winds, veering northwesterly.

Thursday brings a cooler, fresher day with sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures will be 15 to 19 degrees, with moderate to fresh northerly winds. This sounds like a good day for a brisk walk if you ask me.

Friday will offer a fair amount of dry weather, with sunny spells and well scattered showers. Temperatures will be between 14 and 18 degrees, with moderate northerly winds.

Current indications for next weekend suggest mainly dry conditions with bright or sunny spells and a few showers. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high teens. So, while we might have a few damp days, there's always the promise of some sunshine to look forward to.

For the most up to date information, I always recommend checking the official Met Éireann website (www.met.ie). They're the experts, after all, and their forecasts are invaluable for planning anything from a weekend getaway to just knowing whether to hang the washing out.

So, there you have it: a Sunday with a bit of everything, leading into a week that promises warmth but also some persistent showers. It's Ireland, after all, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Keep that umbrella handy, but don't forget the sunglasses either!