Ireland's Climate Basics & Processes

Ireland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream giving the country a maritime climate. Ireland receives a lot of precipitation contributing to its very lush and green landscape. 

Summers in the country are typically warm with sunshine, with the occasional intermittent rainy day. Ireland’s most humid months are in July and August usually leading to prevalent thunderstorms. Winter weather usually consists of heavy clouds and more rain. Larger mountains will typically be snowcapped, with the average temperature being around 41 ° F and will usually go below freezing at night. 

The climate differs throughout the island. Mountainous regions and the areas east of the mountains (due to prevailing winds) will typically have more rain than the lower regions of Ireland.  The southern areas are generally the warmest, while the inland areas have the least amount of heat (due to being further away from the warm ocean waters).