When to go

Northern Ireland: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

Northern Ireland guide · Rainy-day ideas in Northern Ireland

Visitors walking on the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway beside the sea
Visitors walking on the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway beside the seaPhoto: Adam Bishop, CC BY-SA 3.0
Devenish Island, Fermanagh Lakelands
Outdoors: Devenish IslandPhoto: HENRY CLARK, CC BY-SA 2.0
St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry~Londonderry
Under a roof: St Eugene's CathedralPhoto: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

Northern Ireland climate by month

Warmest month: July (highs about 20°C). Coolest: January (about 8°C). Wettest: November (102 mm). Driest: April (60 mm).

Station: Belfast Newforge. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January8.22.28914407 h 49
February8.82.17013659 h 33
March10.53.171139811 h 49
April12.84.7601115714 h 05
May15.77.0601218516 h 10
June18.29.7691115117 h 16
July19.711.6741314616 h 40
August19.411.5851414214 h 50
September17.39.6701211212 h 32
October13.86.996149210 h 17
November10.74.210216538 h 20
December8.42.39315357 h 16

Source: Met Office, Belfast Newforge, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of Northern Ireland for the 15th of each month. Belfast Newforge is in south Belfast. The Causeway Coast, Antrim glens and Mourne Mountains differ, and the north coast is breezier.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in Northern Ireland

2–8°CTypical night to day
89 mmRain, 14 days
7 h 49Daylight
40 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.2°C at the warmest and nights 2.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 89 mm of rain falls over roughly 14 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 40 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 49 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 49 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 40 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (14 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jan

  • Fri, 1 Jan 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, 3 Jan 2028: New Year’s Day

February in Northern Ireland

2–9°CTypical night to day
70 mmRain, 13 days
9 h 33Daylight
65 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.8°C at the warmest and nights 2.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 70 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 65 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 33 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 33 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.
  • Averaging about 65 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Feb

No bank holidays in Northern Ireland in February for the next two years.

March in Northern Ireland

3–11°CTypical night to day
71 mmRain, 13 days
11 h 49Daylight
98 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.5°C at the warmest and nights 3.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 71 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 98 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 49 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 49 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Mar

  • Wed, 17 Mar 2027: St Patrick’s Day
  • Fri, 26 Mar 2027: Good Friday
  • Mon, 29 Mar 2027: Easter Monday
  • Fri, 17 Mar 2028: St Patrick’s Day

April in Northern Ireland

5–13°CTypical night to day
60 mmRain, 11 days
14 h 05Daylight
157 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 12.8°C at the warmest and nights 4.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 60 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 157 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 05 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 05 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Apr

  • Fri, 14 Apr 2028: Good Friday
  • Mon, 17 Apr 2028: Easter Monday

May in Northern Ireland

7–16°CTypical night to day
60 mmRain, 12 days
16 h 10Daylight
185 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 15.7°C at the warmest and nights 7.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 60 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 185 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 16 h 10 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 10 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 12 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in May

  • Mon, 3 May 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 31 May 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, 1 May 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 29 May 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in Northern Ireland

10–18°CTypical night to day
69 mmRain, 11 days
17 h 16Daylight
151 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 18.2°C at the warmest and nights 9.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 69 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 151 hours of sunshine in the month and 17 h 16 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 17 h 16 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jun

No bank holidays in Northern Ireland in June for the next two years.

July in Northern Ireland

12–20°CTypical night to day
74 mmRain, 13 days
16 h 40Daylight
146 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.7°C at the warmest and nights 11.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 74 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 146 hours of sunshine in the month and 16 h 40 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 40 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jul

  • Mon, 12 Jul 2027: Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
  • Wed, 12 Jul 2028: Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)

August in Northern Ireland

12–19°CTypical night to day
85 mmRain, 14 days
14 h 50Daylight
142 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.4°C at the warmest and nights 11.5°C at the coolest.
  • About 85 mm of rain falls over roughly 14 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 142 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 50 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 50 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (14 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Aug

  • Mon, 30 Aug 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, 28 Aug 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in Northern Ireland

10–17°CTypical night to day
70 mmRain, 12 days
12 h 32Daylight
112 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 17.3°C at the warmest and nights 9.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 70 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 112 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 32 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 32 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 12 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Sep

No bank holidays in Northern Ireland in September for the next two years.

October in Northern Ireland

7–14°CTypical night to day
96 mmRain, 14 days
10 h 17Daylight
92 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 13.8°C at the warmest and nights 6.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 96 mm of rain falls over roughly 14 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 92 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 17 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 17 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (14 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Oct

No bank holidays in Northern Ireland in October for the next two years.

November in Northern Ireland

4–11°CTypical night to day
102 mmRain, 16 days
8 h 20Daylight
53 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.7°C at the warmest and nights 4.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 102 mm of rain falls over roughly 16 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 53 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 20 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 20 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 53 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (16 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Nov

No bank holidays in Northern Ireland in November for the next two years.

December in Northern Ireland

2–8°CTypical night to day
93 mmRain, 15 days
7 h 16Daylight
35 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.4°C at the warmest and nights 2.3°C at the coolest.
  • About 93 mm of rain falls over roughly 15 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 35 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 16 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 16 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 35 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (15 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Dec

  • Fri, 25 Dec 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, 28 Dec 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, 27 Dec 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, 28 Dec 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays for Northern Ireland come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School holidays are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK).

From our Northern Ireland guide

Northern Ireland's weather changes quickly in every season, so pack a waterproof whenever you go. Opening times at castles, boats and National Trust sites can vary by season, so check each site before travelling.

  • Spring (March to May): A good time for coastal walks and gardens as the days lengthen. Some seasonal attractions begin to open.
  • Summer (June to August): The longest days for the coast, mountains and lakes. Popular sights such as the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede are busiest in school holidays.
  • Autumn (September to November): Quieter at the main sights, with changing colours in the forest parks. Check ferry and attraction hours as the season ends.
  • Winter (December to February): Short days and some reduced opening hours. Belfast and Derry~Londonderry have indoor museums, theatres and pubs.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Belfast Newforge). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of Northern Ireland.

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