The weather is set to take a dramatic turn next week, with sunshine and clear skies forecast as the country is set to enjoy the first rain-free day so far this year
09:07, 28 Feb 2026Updated 09:33, 28 Feb 2026
Ireland looks set to finally enjoy a fully dry across the country for the first time in weeks – stock photo
Ireland has endured an incredibly wet start to 2026, with the country subjected to a near-endless deluge of torrential downpours since the start of the new year.
Met Éireann confirmed this week that it has rained every single day in Ireland since the start of the year. Weather bosses revealed that downpours have been reported across the country every day of 2026 so far.
Met Eireann chiefs said that in Valentia Observatory, 55 non-dry days have been recorded between 1 January 2026 and 24 February 2026, with a total rainfall of 318.1 mm over that period.
Thankfully, the run of rainy weather looks set to finally come to an end, with a weather expert revealing that we are set to enjoy our first fully dry day across the country next week.
Weather models show that Tuesday is set to be the first fully dry day in Ireland so far this year
Alan O’Reilly, the hobbyist meteorologist who runs the popular Carlow Weather social media pages, revealed that Tuesday (March 3) looks set to be rain-free, with a dry and sunny day for all counties in Ireland.
“When will it end? Next Tuesday looks to be the day we will see a full dry day across the country with good sunny spells,” O’Reilly said in a message shared on his social media pages.
That’s not the only good news O’Reilly had for his followers, as he confirmed the return of the much-heralded grand stretch in the evening, with Friday marking the first sunset after 6pm this year.
“The stretch is getting real,” O’Reilly said in a video message shared with his followers yesterday.
“[Friday], we will see the first sunset of the year after 6pm. It was just before or on 6pm [on Thursday] But [on Friday] it’s 6.02pm here in Carlow, so the first real stretch after 6pm.
“But the stretch will continue, and if we fast forward a month’s time, we’ll be getting ready for the clocks to Spring forward, and then sunset will almost be 8pm.
“So we’ve had a lot of rain, we’ve had a lot of dark, dull days [but] we have some brighter days to come, like next Tuesday, but we also have spring just about to start and lots of stretch and hopefully lots of sunshine.”
You can check out Met Eireann’s forecast for the coming days below.
Met Eireann National Outlook
Overview: Becoming much more settled into the new week with dry weather and spring sunshine most days. Cold by night though with some frost and ice.
Saturday (February 28): Dry and sunny at first this morning with any frost or ice soon clearing. However, a band of showery rain will gradually begin to move into western parts, slowly extending north-eastwards this afternoon. Drier weather with some sunny spells will develop across western counties later. Highest temperatures of 6C to 10C . Light southerly breezes at first, will increase moderate to fresh.
Dry and clear for a time this evening and early tonight. However, rather wet and breezy conditions will feed up across the country overnight. Turning misty in places too. Lowest temperatures of 2C to 6C in a freshening southerly wind.
Sunday (March 1): Sunday will begin dull and breezy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Hill, mist and coastal fog too. Becoming windier throughout the day with heavier spells of rain also, especially for southern and western counties with spot flooding later. Highest temperatures of 10C or 11C. Fresh to strong southerly winds, will increase strong to gale force, with some damaging gusts.
Wet and rather windy weather will clear eastwards overnight with longer drier spells developing across the western half of the country. Lowest temperatures of 2C to 6C with moderating southerly winds.
Monday (March 2): Starting out largely dry with good sunny spells. However, it will become cloudier and breezier with some showery outbreaks of rain pushing in from the Atlantic, though much of the Southeast will stay dry. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with freshening southwest winds. Generally dry for the evening as winds veer northwest and ease.
Dry, cold and clear with frost and icy patches on Monday night, with lowest temperatures of -2C to +2C degrees in light westerly breezes.
Tuesday (March 3): Any early frost or ice will soon clear, leaving a dry and sunny day. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C in light to moderate southerly winds.
Dry with long clear spells on Tuesday night. Some frost or ice in places. Lowest temperatures of 0C to 4C in a moderate southerly wind.
Wednesday: Dry with spells of sunshine, though breezy. Highest temperatures of 10C to 13C in a moderate to fresh southerly wind. Staying dry with clear spells on Wednesday night. Lowest temperatures of 3C to 6C in a light to moderate southeast breeze.
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