Met Eireann has warned of a rare four day fog weather event across Ireland starting tonight.
08/01/2025 Commuters pictured in Lucan, Co. Dublin in fog(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
Ireland has only just emerged from its first cold snap of the year, with milder temperatures bringing a brief respite – but also spells of heavy rain.
Met Eireann says these unsettled conditions will continue into early next week, however the mercury is forecast to dip once again with daytime temperatures struggling to reach double digits and overnight lows dropping to -2C.
But there’s more than just the typical wet weather to watch out for. The national forecaster has highlighted a strange atmospheric phenomenon that’s expected to develop tonight and persist across Ireland over the next four days.
The current weather setup is creating the perfect conditions for dense fog, particularly overnight and into the early mornings. Ireland’s meteorological service has explained that light southeasterly or variable breezes, combined with calm and clear nights, will create a multi day fog event.
While fog itself isn’t uncommon, the persistence of this pattern is rare, with Met Eireann warning that it is expected on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
To help plan for the week ahead, the national forecaster has issued a detailed day by day breakdown of what to expect. It said: “Largely dry Saturday night though a few showers will occur, mainly in the east and southeast. Light southeasterly or variable breezes will allow dense fog to develop in places. Lowest temperatures of -1C to 4C.
“Fog will gradually clear from most places Sunday morning. Dry for many for daylight hours with bright or sunny spells and just occasional showers. Towards the evening, outbreaks of rain will develop in the west and southwest. Highest temperatures of 5C to 9C with light to moderate southerly winds which will freshen in the west during the evening.
“Turning cloudy Sunday night as outbreaks of rain and drizzle gradually extend eastwards across the country. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 5C in moderate, occasionally fresh south or southeast winds, easing later in the night.
Met Eireann has forecast patches of fog(Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
“Mostly cloudy at first Monday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, becoming largely confined to the north and east by early afternoon as drier and brighter conditions extend from the west. Highest temperatures of 5C to 9C in mostly light variable breezes.
“Cloud Monday night along with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the north will clear away, becoming largely dry, clear and cold for a time with fog developing in light southeasterly or variable breezes. Lowest temperatures of -2C to 3C. Towards morning, outbreaks for rain will develop in the southwest with freshening winds.
“Fog will clear through Tuesday morning as it becomes breezy as outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, and fresh and gusty southeasterly winds gradually extend northeastwards though northern areas may stay dry until the evening. Highest temperatures of 6C to 9C.
“Current indications suggest a breezy or windy day Wednesday with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C with fresh to strong and gusty southeasterly winds.”
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