Does it Snow in Ireland? Ireland in Winter
Wondering whether it snows in Ireland?
You’ve come to the right article!
One of the most common questions people have before visiting the island in the winter months is “Does it snow in Ireland?“
It’s a perfectly valid question since the Irish are known for complaining about the cold winters in Ireland.
Luckily for you, I’m from Belfast and have lived through 20 years worth of winters, and I’m here to provide an answer as to whether or not it snows in Ireland.
Let’s get into it!
Does it Snow in Ireland?
To cut to the chase, yes, it snows in Ireland.
Throughout my life (I’m 20), it’s snowed pretty much every winter here, at least once. It doesn’t snow very often, but usually at least one time each winter, we’ll get snow that actually sticks.
It’s much more common to have rain and hail throughout the winters in Ireland, and sleet. But unfortunately, sleet doesn’t stick to the ground, so I don’t really count it as a proper “snow day”.
But we do have one or two each year.
I’m speaking for myself here, but I think most of the Irish too when I say that we love a snow day. It doesn’t snow here enough to make us hate it, just enough to make us appreciate it.
There was nothing better as a kid growing up and having a snow day, getting to stay off school and play outside in the snow.
In fact, one of the nicest sunsets I’ve ever caught on my street was during the snow. Take a look at this.
The snow combined with the sunset is gorgeous! But as you can see from the photo, the snow isn’t very thick.
In built-up areas, snow doesn’t lie for very long. It’s in the Irish countryside where you’ll find the best snow, with the best snowmen, snowball fights and sledging opportunities.
But to answer the question, “Does it snow in Ireland?“, yes, it sometimes snows in Ireland during the Winter.
How much does it Snow in Ireland?
It doesn’t snow that much in Ireland. It snows in Ireland, just not a lot.
As I’ve said already, there’s usually only a couple of days each year of proper snow which will lie on the ground for more than half an hour.
We get plenty of rain, sleet, hail and all the other forms of precipitation, but only a little bit of snow.
From my memory, if it snows more than one day, it’s usually consecutive. I think the longest I can remember is one week of snow. I was like 8 years old and it was amazing!
In most winters, I only have to scrape snow off my car a couple of times. Scraping ice off is much more common, as things freeze over most nights in Ireland during the winter.
It also depends on where you are in Ireland. As I said before, the best snow is in the countryside. The mountains and hills in Ireland will get a lot more snow than the low-lying parts of the island.
And the northern part of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, tend to get more snow too as naturally, the north is colder as Ireland’s weather comes from the Atlantic Ocean which hits the northwest of Ireland first. And also, it is further from the equator.
For example, snow in Dublin is a lot less common than snow in the mountains in the north of Northern Ireland. Though Dublin is worth visiting no matter the weather, so don’t let the lack of snow put you off visiting.
If you aren’t a fan of snow, the chances of snow in Ireland are in your favour, as it’s not very common as I’ve said. But just have your expectations in line, as the weather still isn’t great in the winter. Wet, wet, wet.
When does it Snow in Ireland?
When it snows in Ireland, it’s usually in the winter (though not always).
Winter in Ireland is December, January and February. Where I live, if it’s going to snow, it’s usually in January.
But there’s been snow in Ireland anytime from September to May in the past, but obviously, these are extremely rare occurrences.
Snow between November and March is more common. However, I always get reminded by my grandparents that it snowed the day my mum was born in April.
If you want to visit Ireland and see snow, your chances are pretty low, but to maximise them, visit between December and February as these are the months when it snows the most in Ireland.
How Cold is Ireland during Winter?
Winters in Ireland are pretty cold. Not quite as cold as those of Scandinavia, or Alaska, but cold enough. Colder than most of Europe anyway, or so we like to believe.
Just like with the British, weather is always a topic of conversation!
In terms of temperatures, the average temperature in Winter is between 5ºC and 8ºC. Or 40-46ºF in Fahrenheit.
So it’s not the coldest in the world, but it’s still cold enough. What makes me personally hate Irish winters is the wetness.
It’s more or less raining every day, and it’s miserable.
But lots of people choose to visit Dublin and Belfast at Christmas so it can’t be that bad, really.
You just need to dress sensibly. In other words, don’t leave the house without a coat! This is what I’d wear on a typical winter’s day.
Snow in Ireland: FAQ
Below are some questions related to “Does it snow in Ireland?” along with my answers about each.
Not all of Ireland gets snow. Coastal regions, particularly the west, experience less snowfall compared to inland and northern areas during winter.
Dublin occasionally sees snowfall in winter, but it’s infrequent and often light, rarely causing significant disruptions to daily life.
Irish winters are generally mild, characterised by cool temperatures, rain, and occasional frost. Heavy snowfall is uncommon and is rare enough that the Irish still love a snow day rather than hate the sight of one.
Snow in Ireland is relatively uncommon. Coastal regions experience less snowfall, while inland and northern areas may have occasional, light snowfall during winter months. But not very often, usually only a few times each winter.
Conclusion: Does it Snow in Ireland
And there you have it, a complete guide to “Does it snow in Ireland?“
Remember, the answer is yes. It snows in Ireland.
Unfortunately, it’s not as often as in other countries. But when it does snow, it’s absolutely beautiful.
Enjoy your trip to Ireland in Winter, and if you are hoping for snow, fingers crossed for you!
