Ireland could be days away from temperatures shooting back up into the mid-twenties, according to Met Eireann . After a brief return to more Atlantic-driven weather , the latest forecasts from Met Éireann suggest that the atmosphere may once again become increasingly influenced by high pressure, with the Azores High likely to play an important role in shaping Ireland’s weather through the first half of July. In the short term, the national forecast points to a mixed picture. Following a spell of rain and cooler
conditions, the coming days are expected to feature sunshine interspersed with showers as Atlantic systems continue to brush the country . Temperatures will generally remain close to seasonal averages, ranging from the mid to high teens, while moderate southwesterly winds maintain a fresh Atlantic feel. However, Met Éireann notes that high pressure is expected to build nearby later in the outlook, increasing the potential for more settled weather to develop. That developing ridge of high pressure is particularly interesting because it appears consistent with the
broader signals contained in Met Éireann’s Extended Range Forecast . While long-range forecasts should always be treated cautiously, they are designed to identify large-scale weather patterns rather than day-to-day conditions. The latest extended outlook indicates that Week 1 (June 29 to July 5) is likely to be dominated by high pressure, bringing generally settled conditions, above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall across much of Ireland. Confidence decreases into Week 2, but there remains a weaker signal that high pressure will continue to influence the country, with
temperatures remaining above normal and rainfall staying below average. Even into Week 3, despite increasing uncertainty, warmer-than-average temperatures and relatively dry conditions continue to feature in the forecast. While Met Éireann does not specifically mention the Azores High by name, the forecast pattern strongly resembles its classic influence. The Azores High is a semi-permanent area of high pressure centred over the subtropical Atlantic. During summer it frequently expands northeastwards towards western Europe, suppressing Atlantic storm systems and allowing calmer, drier and warmer conditions to develop
across Ireland. When the Azores High extends far enough north , Ireland often experiences prolonged spells of sunshine, lighter winds and temperatures climbing comfortably above average. Conversely, when it retreats southwest or weakens, the Atlantic jet stream is free to send low pressure systems across the country, bringing more familiar spells of rain and unsettled weather. Current forecast guidance suggests the atmosphere may be entering one of those favourable phases where the Azores High exerts greater influence. While this does not necessarily guarantee continuous sunshine,
it does significantly increase the chances of longer dry periods and warmer-than-average conditions. The seasonal outlook reinforces that idea. Met Éireann expects the July to September period to be warmer than average overall, with rainfall also likely to trend below normal, particularly during July. Sea surface temperatures around Ireland are also forecast to remain above average, another factor that can support warmer conditions. As always, Irish weather remains highly changeable, and confidence naturally falls beyond the seven to ten-day timeframe. Nevertheless, both the short-range and
extended forecasts are pointing in the same general direction: the Atlantic may soon loosen its grip, allowing the Azores High to become the dominant feature and offering Ireland a promising start to July . Overview : Mixed weather overall with dry and milder conditions over the southern half of the country but perhaps a little wetter and cloudier across the north. Friday Night: Clear spells at times in the south and east but generally cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle. Mild and humid with temperatures
not falling below 13 to 16 degrees in light to moderate southwest to west winds. Saturday : Rather cloudy overall with rain across Connacht and Ulster spreading east during the morning. Cloudy with patchy drizzle elsewhere which will become more persistent for a time in the afternoon. Westerly breezes and highs of 17 to 23 degrees, warmest in the south. Saturday Night : Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle mainly in the west and northwest. Westerly breezes and lows of 13 to 16 degrees.
Sunday : Cloudy with rain across the northern half of the country but drier and a little less cloud further south. The best of any sunny spells will be in the south and southeast. Westerly breezes continue with highest temperatures of 17 to 23 degrees. Sunday Night : Another cloudy and wet evening and night with patchy rain and drizzle drifting across the country. More persistent spells of will affect Connacht and Ulster with conditions a little drier in the south. Lowest temperatures of 13
to 15 degrees with westerly breezes. Week 1 – Monday 06th July to Sunday 12th July Broadly dry and settled conditions for much of this period with a strong signal for high pressure to dominate. Much drier than average conditions with above average temperatures seem likely, with the highest warm temperature anomalies in the southeast. Current deterministic guidance suggests the origin of the high pressure will be from the Azores, with lower humidities compared to what was observed during the recent warm spell in June.
Week 2 – Monday 13th July to Sunday 19th July High pressure is forecast to become more focussed to the north or east of our area with an increasing signal for Atlantic mobility to return in some form or another with lower pressures currently signalled to the south and southwest. The influence of high pressure remains dominant, however, with drier than average conditions still signalled and mean temperatures above normal. Week 3 – Monday 20th July to Sunday 26th July Confidence in the forecast is
lower for this period but the general signal for high pressure to the north and east of Ireland and low pressure to the south and southwest persists. Drier than average conditions along with above average mean temperatures are signalled, albeit with lower confidence than the previous 2 weeks. Week 4 – Monday 27th July to Sunday 02nd August Confidence is quite low for this period with only weak signals for high pressure to the east and low pressure to the west with a neutral pressure
signal over Ireland. Rainfall and temperature anomalies are therefore quite uncertain. There’s a slightly wetter than average signal for Atlantic coastal areas with a neutral signal elsewhere. Above average mean temperatures look set to be maintained, although temperatures will be closer to normal in the west and northwest. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Met Éireann, Ireland weather, Azores High, July forecast, high pressure, extended range forecast, rainfall below average, warmer than average