Weather of the Irish Capital of Food is rather similar to climate of the rest of country. Humid and warm air masses from above the North Atlantic Current are brought by western winds. Those air masses are resulting significant precipitation of over 1200 mm (47.2”) per year and narrow range of temperatures. In fact record high and low ever recorded were 29 °C (48 °F) and -9 °C (16 °F) respectively.

Basically there are two states of weather in Cork: wet of sunny. It is never really hot or cold there. Also amount of sunshine makes Cork one of the sunniest localities in Ireland. Snow, sleet or hail are rare: there only about 20 days per year with those kinds of precipitation. In addition at winter and around it city becomes foggy.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Cork

Mach and first week of April are pretty dull. It is cloudy and rainy but rather warm. Averages of whole season are in range between 10 °C (50 °F) to 16 °C (61 °F). At May monthly average amount of sunshine hours doubles while amount of precipitation decreases only by around 15% from 98 mm to 82 mm (3.8-3.2”). Through March there is even slight probability of snow and night frost.

Anyway weather in whole country at spring is uncertain and may drastically change in couple hours. Thus farsighted travelers are packing couple of wool sweaters, “protection equipment” for rainy days and beach outfits too. On the other hand it is time of relatively low pricing for tourist season have not begun. And local food extravaganza is available year round along with carefully crafted beer.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.95") Water t°: +8.5 °C (47 °F)

April Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 67 mm (2.6") Water t°: +9.5 °C (49 °F)

May Max average t°: +15 °C (58 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 80 mm (3.15") Water t°: +11 °C (52 °F)

Spring Holidays

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day.

March-April – Easter celebrations.
April 24 – Easter Rising Day.

May 1 – Beltaine.
May – Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival, Baltimore Seafood & Wooden Boat Festival.

Summer in Cork

Summer in Cork is the sunniest and the warmest time of a year. Also it is considered as driest one. In relation to the rest of seasons it is true however up to 11 days per month will have significant precipitation. Range of averages is between 17 °C and 19 °C (62-66 °F) with July and August being warmest months. Bodies of water in the city and around are warming up to 14-15 °C (57-59 °F) at August. In those conditions swimming is rather questionable endeavor.

And shifty nature of the weather in Cork is true at summer too. Rains, clouds or winds may change couple times per day so proper clothes and precaution means are necessary. With all this going on necessity of warm sweater equals to sunscreen creams etc. In addition almost all main activities take place at this season.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (51 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 67 mm (2.6") Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F)

July Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4") Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F)

August Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 73 mm (2.9") Water t°: +15.5 °C (60 °F)

Summer Holidays

June – Bandon Music Festival, Rosscarbery Festival, Jim Dowling Uilleann Pipe & Trad Festival, Bantry Walking Festival, Castletownbere June Festival, The Michael O’Dwyer Tin Whistle Festival, The West Cork Islands Festival, West Cork Chamber Music Festival.
June 9 – St. Columba’s Day.
June 16 – Bloomsday.

July – West Cork Garden Trail, South of Ireland Band Championships, Courtmacsherry Harbour Festival, Eyeries Family Festival, West Cork Literary Festival, The Glandore Regatta.

August - Masters of Tradition Festival, Rosscarbery Family Festival, Timoleague Harvest Festival, Castletownbere Festival.

Autumn in Cork

At autumn weather in Cork become colder and rainier. Daytime averages slowly decrease from 16 °C (61 °F) at September to 10 °C (50 °F) at November. Precipitation is frequent and moderately intense. In fact October is the rainiest month of a year with about 140 (5.5”) mm of monthly precipitation. In addition autumn is quite windy. Yet considering shifty nature of Atlantic weather statistic data is rather symbolic.

Regarding given above it is necessary to thoroughly check forecasts for time of journey to Cork or Ireland in general. And even such precaution does not guarantee sudden changes.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +17 °C (62 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (51 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.95") Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F)

October Max average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 4.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.8") Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F)

November Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 87 mm (3.4") Water t°: +12 °C (54 °F)

Autumn Holidays

September – Courtmacsherry Storytelling Festival, The Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival, Clonakilty Guitar Festival.
October 31 – Halloween.

Winter in Cork

At winter daytime temperature of air in Cork hovers around 8 °C (46 °F) and hardly ever goes in negative range (below 32 °F). In general this season is cloudy, rainy and windy. Sometimes it even snows. But it is rare occasion and snow cover never remains for more than two days. Overcast, precipitation and strong winds are forming rather unwelcoming weather. But on the other hand it is good time to visit Cork in terms of pricing and local traditions of celebrating Christmas and other winter holidays.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +9 °C (49 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 111 mm (4.4") Water t°: +10 °C (50 °F)

January Max average t°: +8.5 °C (47 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 81 mm (3.2") Water t°: +9.5 °C 49 °F)

February Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.8") Water t°: +9 °C (48 °F)

Winter Holidays

December – Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon.
December 26 – St. Stephen's Day.
December 29 – Constitution Day.

February 1 - St. Brigit’s Day.
February 7 - St. Mel’s Day.

*All mentioned festivities take place in different localities of the County Cork for most of them are satiated relatively close to the city of Cork.